CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — A rice weevil infestation, locally known as “bokbok,” has forced the Cebu City government to delay the resumption of its ₱20 rice program until next week.
Mayor Nestor Archival, in a press conference at City Hall yesterday, revealed that the latest shipment of rice intended for the Benteng Bigas, Meron Na! program was found to be “bokbokon,” or weevil-infested.
“Daghan kaayong nag-request ba, pero mao ni ang sitwasyon sa rice,” Archival said, acknowledging the frustration of residents waiting for the affordable rice.
He explained that while the initial rollout was suspended for inventory purposes, the arrival of new stocks later revealed contamination.
“Last week, nahutdan, unya naay naabot, pero dili angay nato…Dili kuno angay mabaligya naay mga bokbok na ba,” Archival added.
The mayor, however, said he was not informed of the exact volume of rice affected.
“I don’t really know how many arrived nga gibokbok,” he said.
The Freeman tried to reach local representatives from the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Health (DOH), and other agencies for comment, but to no avail.
Based on previous reports, however, both the DA and DOH said rice weevils are not harmful to human health if rice is properly washed and cooked.
A source from the City Agriculture Office confirmed this to The Freeman but said the presence of rice weevils can affect taste when infestations are heavy.
The source added that the pests are most common in old rice stocks, describing these as their “natural habitat.”
The source also said that in some countries, indigenous peoples even consume them as food, similar to beetles.
Meanwhile, Archival clarified the city government’s role in the program, stressing that it only assists in packaging and distribution while Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) handles payments.
“Ang ato rang City Government ang mu-assist—maoy muputos, maoy mupangita ug plastic. Ang mupalit, ang mga constituents. Ang mukuha sa bayad, ang FTI…so mao na,” he said.
After complaints that the initial rollout was limited to City Hall and the Cebu City Sports Institute, Archival announced that distribution will now be done per barangay.
“Nagreklamo ang uban nganong sa City Hall ra? So atong gihimo karon, ato na ta per barangay. Muadto na ta sa mga barangay,” he said.
On Labor Day, May 1, a special distribution will be held at Plaza Independencia, although details on beneficiaries are still being finalized.
Regular barangay-level sales will resume on May 4, serving about 300 families per day in both the north and south districts.
Archival further clarified that the Benteng Bigas program is separate from assistance under the Local Support Fund (LCF), which this week will release ₱75 million to help poor families.
“Dili, dili. Sa LCF karong semanaha, musud nana na. If I’m not mistaken, ₱75 million.
Ang rule ani, tagaan nato ang mga familia nga mga pobre, 25% sa atong mga constituent mao nay mga pobre,” he said.
He added that the city’s long-term plan is to expand coverage of the rice subsidy.
“If possible, if naa nay sunod nga mga muabot, tagaan nato ang mga households tanan. Mao nay direction nato,” Archival said.
| Written by Caecent No-ot Magsumbol/FPL
