Palace blames supplier over underweight rice bags

Malacañang on Monday said the supplier, not the government, was responsible for the underweight rice sacks distributed during the "Bawat Barangay Makikinabang" program in Mandaluyong City.

Some beneficiaries of the 10 July distribution led by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos reported receiving rice sacks containing only eight kilos instead of the promised 10 kilos.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said about 29,500 sacks were distributed, with an estimated 50 sacks found to be underweight.

"The supplier acknowledged the mistake and apologized to the Mandaluyong local government," Castro said.

According to Castro, the supplier committed to provide an additional 10 kilos of rice to affected beneficiaries without taking back the original eight-kilo sacks.

The Mandaluyong City government has also decided to blacklist the supplier and has launched an investigation into the incident.

The rice distribution, funded through the Local Government Support Fund, benefited 3,100 residents, including senior citizens, public utility drivers, and children with disabilities across the city's 27 barangays.