By Paulo Loreto Lim

In response to allegations native chickens delivered to beneficiaries of the Iloilo City Integrated Food Production Program were “defective,” Acting Mayor Jose Espinosa III called a meeting of relevant officials and issued orders to the Internal Audit Service (IAS) office and the City Agriculturist regarding the issue.

“We have to ensure what is given to residents are correct and adheres to the TOR (terms of reference), that is why we called a meeting and issued memorandum orders,” he explained.

Many of the complaints claimed the chickens provided were underweight.

According to the TOR, native chickens must weigh at least 300 grams.

Both City Agriculturist Romulo Pangantihon and IAS head, Atty. Joan Montaño, were ordered to provide reports by next week.

“We will wait for the [IAS] recommendation,” said the acting mayor. “In the meantime, we will temporarily suspend delivery pending the investigation and reports required.”

In terms of the supplier, Foodwealth Agrovet Trading, Espinosa noted, if the results of the report warrant such a move, only the Commission on Audit can blacklist a contractor.

Earlier this month, 200 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries and farmers from the city’s Jaro district received a total of 1,000 native chickens through the city program.

The city previously provided 1,875 native chickens to 375 recipients from the Mandurriao, Molo, and La Paz districts./PLL, WDJ