A total of 178 sacks of moldy rice, weighing 50 kilograms each, have been disposed of after being declared unsafe for human consumption, the local government of Bantayan, Cebu, said.
In a Facebook post on Oct. 9, the municipal government said the rice was discovered after Mayor Alex Layese assumed office.
The local administration immediately coordinated with the National Food Authority, which determined that the rice was no longer fit for human consumption.
The local government also coordinated with the Commission on Audit to ensure that the disposal followed the proper procedures.
After more than a year, the disposal was finally carried out, witnessed by COA representatives and department heads who were members of the Disposal Committee, according to the municipal government’s post.
The 178 sacks contained a total of 8,900 kilograms of rice, based on the reported weight of 50 kilograms per sack.
The local government’s announcement confirmed that the rice had been removed from circulation after authorities determined it was unsafe to eat.
The post did not provide further details about when the rice was originally stored, how long it had been moldy or the circumstances that led to its discovery.
It also did not specify the exact date when the rice was first found, beyond stating that the discovery occurred after Layese took office.
The disposal was conducted with the participation of the audit agency and members of the municipal Disposal Committee to ensure compliance with the required process.
The announcement highlighted the completion of the disposal of the rice stocks after more than a year.
