DURING STATE OF CALAMITY

ALCALA—The town’s mayor wondered how the municiapl government could help provide food, particularly rice to affected residents should calamity hit the town.  

Reason? The government cannot purchase rice from the National Food Authority even if a state of calamity has been declared because the sangguniang bayan rejected a resolution for that purpose.

In a statement dated September 29 and posted in his Facebook account, Mayor Ryan Paolo Mencias wrote, “Many residents of Alcala expressed fears and deep concern that no rice subsidy would be timely and speedily delivered to them in times of calamity and emergency.”

Mr. Mencias raised his own fear after Resolution No. 2015-35 that gave him authority to enter into a memorandum of agreement (MOA), for and in behalf of the municipality, with the NFA relative to the agency’s Rice Loan Program for Local Government Units providing safeguards in its implementation was disapproved  during a session on Sept. 28 presided over by Vice Mayor Jojo Callejo.

 “It is a case of a good measure killed by short-minded SB (Sangguniang Bayan) members. It’s the people who will be directly affected because they are the ones who suffer in times of calamity,” said the mayor quoting Councilor Fe Peregrino.

Under the program, the NFA agrees to deliver to a local government unit a maximum of 1,000 sacks of rice on credit to be covered by the town’s calamity fund.

Those who voted against the measure were Councilors Amor Espiritu, Gerardo Ablao, Emme Luisa Ramos, Reynaldo Catalan and Rodolfo Rosquita, all reportedly known allies of Mr.  Callejo.

The mayor said early politicking led to the killing of this good measure.

“These SB members are accountable to the people if no rice subsidy and other relief goods are immediately delivered to them during hard times,” Peregrino added.

Mencias said, in contrast, majority of the municipalities of Pangasinan have already availed of the NFA program, among them, Villasis, Sto. Tomas, Bautista, Binalonan, Pozorrubio, Laoac and Urdaneta City.

Councilor Ablao was quoted by the mayor as saying that there is no need to undertake the MOA with the NFA since as “there is no imminent disaster or calamity.”

Mr. Mencias said they opposed the measure despite safeguards introduced as to when rice loan can be availed of: 1) Only when there is an emergency. 2) Strictly for relief operations and, 3) When the municipal declares a state of calamity.

Without the resolution, the town would have to buy from private rice retailers in case of emergency which are more expensive, Mr. Mencias said.

Mencias and Callejo were running mates during the 2013 elections. In April, Callejo declared his intent to run for mayor in the 2016 elections while Mencias is seeking re-election. (Tita Roces)

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