Capitol and Mandaue City Government Reach Agreement on Cost of Spoiled Rice Under SMB Program

The Capitol and the Mandaue City government have come to an agreement on handling the payment for spoiled rice sold under the Sugbo Merkado Barato (SMB) program, setting the cost at P20 per kilogram. Aldwin Empaces, Assistant Administrator at the Capitol, stated that this arrangement was reached in discussions with Governor Pamela Baricuatro and Mandaue City Mayor Jonkie Ouano, deciding to pay only for the rice that was actually sold.

Rather than settling the P1,077,000 amount in cash, Empaces explained that the sum will be redirected as assistance to constituents in Mandaue City. Additionally, rice deemed unfit for human consumption is scheduled to be repurposed as animal feed.

Empaces also mentioned that Governor Baricuatro plans to visit Mandaue City soon to discuss further progress and development initiatives.

This agreement builds upon the SMB program, which was introduced during the previous administration. The initiative involves distributing National Food Authority (NFA) rice at a subsidized price of P20 per kilo to support local communities.