AN ELECTION TACTIC? VP Sara hits gov't plan to sell rice at P20 per kilo in the Visayas

National

VICE President Sara Duterte balked at the government's plan to sell rice at P20 per kilo in the Visayas, calling it an election tactic designed to win votes for the administration's senatorial candidates.

Duterte was particularly concerned about the quality of the rice and suggested it might not be fit for human consumption.

She emphasized that if the rice were truly meant for people, it should be edible.

Duterte further remarked that Filipinos are not animals and that they would only accept P20 per kilo rice if it was fit for human consumption.

Her statement came after Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced the government's decision to launch the program in the Visayas, following a closed-door meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and 12 governors at the Cebu Provincial Capitol.

Laurel explained that the initiative, which is part of a campaign promise by Marcos, aims to provide subsidized rice at P20 per kilo to families in the region, with an allocation of P3.5 billion to P4.5 billion for the program.

“The Visayas has a high retail price of rice, and people here need it more,” Laurel explained during a press conference.

“We are launching it here because many in the region are in need, but of course, we hope to roll it out nationwide eventually," he added.

Under the program, each household would be allowed to purchase up to 10 kilos of rice per week.

However, Duterte was skeptical about the program’s motivations, questioning the timing of its rollout ahead of the May elections.

“This is another promise just for the election, so that their Alyansa could win,” Duterte said, referring to the Marcos administration’s coalition. “They’re trying to buy votes for their senatorial candidates.”

Duterte also raised concerns over the administration’s ability to implement the program effectively, recalling how Marcos had been unable to deliver on the P20 rice promise during his campaign.

Meanwhile, farmers' group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura has raised additional concerns about the program’s financial viability, estimating that a subsidy of P14 per kilo would be necessary to make the P20 price possible.(MyTVCebu)