In a press conference held at the Toboso Sangguniang Bayan (SB) session hall last March 4 upon the invitation of Vice Mayor Jesse Rex Bartolome, together with SB members Madelene Dela Torre, Peter Wendell Estrada Jr. and Marco Valencia, they revealed the issue about the rice subsidy intended to be given to their poor and underprivileged constituents during this COVID-19 pandemic.
Bartolome, meanwhile, served as the town’s acting mayor for two days when the mayor was on leave.

In that two days, Bartolome said that he performed his duties as acting mayor despite the non-cooperation of some of the department heads.
He said that he even encountered one issue – the rice packs that are still in the warehouse for over a year now – and they are wondering if what is really the plan of their mayor regarding the rice packs. What is the purpose of hoarding the rice packs, the abovementioned SB members also asked. Apparently, they said, only the mayor of Toboso can shed light on the issue at hand.
Bartolome then stated what happened during his two days as acting mayor:
● He facilitated the delivery of basic services, e.g. dispatching of vehicle for those in need, ambulance, COVID response, and ordered that DSWD will immediately facilitate the needs of their constituents.
● He was able to distribute the rice packs to two barangays (482 packs per barangay) despite the alleged non-cooperation of the warehouse in-charge.
● He also made mention that some of the barangay captains conveyed to him that they will not receive the rice subsidy for unknown reasons.
Bartolome also assured his constituents that he will serve them with utmost sincerity and dedication. He added that the SB will serve the best interest of the people beyond political affiliation and that whatever request of the mayor, the council will respond accordingly as long as the procedure is lawfully followed./WDJ