Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 3) — The Commission on Audit (COA) again called out the company that supplies food to New Bilibid Prison (NBP) inmates for not adhering to agreed menu cycle and portions.
In its 2022 report for the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), COA said a review of disbursement vouchers showed that caterer AFS Eatery made changes in the menu without the approval of the superintendent.
It added that the replacement meals were not assessed by the bureau’s nutritionist.
“The failure to comply with the required approval prior to substitution of meals may result in serving meals that are not nutritionally appropriate,” state auditors said.
Based on records, there were days when AFS Eatery provided rice and jumbo hotdog for breakfast instead of rice with hard-boiled egg and dried fish.
Another example was when inmates were supposed to get burger patties with gravy, rice, and a banana. But they were served cheese bread and coffee instead.
COA also found that inmates in NBP and the Correctional Institute for Women (CIW) were provided with lesser serving of rice than what was indicated in the contract.
Detainees in NBP are supposed to receive two cups of rice while those in CIW should get one and a half cups.
“However, based on the delivery receipts attached to the DVs, it was noted that all inmates in all camps were served with only one cup of rice,” it noted.
COA identified Mang Kiko Catering Services as the food supplier in CIW. It also recommended that an appropriate penalty be imposed on AFS Eatery – the same supplier flagged by auditors in 2021 over the same violations.
Meanwhile, BuCor said the Food Inspection Committee – tasked to monitor the implementation of the terms of agreement – is under investigation.
