IRIGA CITY --- Local officials and corn farmers in the Rinconada area, otherwise known as the fourth congressional district of Camarines Sur, smell a multi-million peso scandal over the distribution of so-called certified corn seeds intended for inter-cropping in coconut farms as part of the national government’s hunger mitigation program.

        President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo launched the hunger mitigation program after disastrous typhoons hit Bicol that destroyed crops and vast tracks of coconut farms throughout the region.

        The corn seeds so far distributed were worth P84 million. They were procured and distributed to Camarines Sur coconut farmers by the central office of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) through the Coconut Investment Fund (CIIF) with the assistance of the concerned local government units who helped identify the intended beneficiaries.

        Targeted for corn seed distribution were coconut farmers whose plantations were ravaged by floods and the last typhoons.

        But farmers from, Bula, Bato, Balatan, and Baao, to their dismay reported that only 20 percent of the seeds they planted survived to grow. They complained that early on they noticed that most of the seeds distributed to them were of poor quality, had cracks or had been exposed to pests, such as ‘bokbok’, and other elements.

        The farmers’ woes were ventilated by the farmers during the launching of three coconut nurseries in this city last Saturday, May 10, where PCA directors Jesus Limpin, Jr. and Emmanuel Alfelor, the former mayor of this city, were present as guests.

        The Sangguniang Bayan of Baao, Camarines Sur has reportedly passed a resolution urging PCGG Chairman Camilo Sabio to investigate the matter inasmuch as huge amount of taxpayers’ money was involved.

        The corn seeds were part of the P150 million worth so far distributed throughout Bicol. The total budget allocation under the CIIF is for P300 million. And now, the PCA, through Administrator Oscar Garin is reported to be moving for the release of the remaining half of the budget to procure more seeds for distribution to the other farmers.

        Acting on the local farmers’ complaints, Directors Limpin and Alfelor said they would take up the matter during the next board meeting of the PCA in Manila and vowed to block any attempt to release money from the CIIF until such time that a serious and thorough investigation based on the farmers’ complaints has been initiated.

        Dir. Alfelor said he would not allow another scandal to rock the local agriculture industry given that farmers have suffered enough with the onslaught of the devastating calamities that hit Bicol during the past three years.

        He said the efficient delivery of government services becomes even more an urgent concern now because of the food crisis that the country is earnestly trying to resolve. melvin f. barayoga