Palace tells VP Sara to ditch crab mentality, support P20-per-kilo rice program

National

MALACAÑANG called on Vice President Sara Duterte to support the government’s P20-per-kilo rice program, rejecting her claims that the initiative is politically motivated.

The call was made after Duterte described the program as “budol” or scam, alleging that the initiative is being used to win votes in the upcoming midterm elections.

In rejecting Duterte’s criticism, Undersecretary Claire Castro emphasized that the administration’s primary goal is to provide affordable rice for Filipinos, not to advance political agendas.

The rice program, which will begin in the Visayas, was announced after a meeting between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and 12 Visayas governors at the Cebu Provincial Capitol.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. stated that the program may run until 2028, with both national and local governments covering subsidy costs.

Castro dismissed Duterte’s remarks as divisive and urged Filipinos to avoid the “crab mentality” and support efforts to make rice affordable.

“Why block this good initiative?” Castro said during a press briefing per a report by Philippine Star. “Let us not prevent people from buying affordable rice. This is for the people.”

She also clarified that the P20-per-kilo rice is of the same quality as the P33-per-kilo variety and is sourced from local farmers.

Responding to suggestions that the program’s launch in the Visayas was politically motivated due to its high voter population, Castro explained that the region was selected because of its sufficient rice stock and the needs of local residents. Families will be allowed to purchase up to 10 kilos per week, or 40 kilos per month.

She further stressed that the initiative is not a response to Marcos’ declining approval ratings, warning against potential disinformation spread by individuals posing as buyers.

Meanwhile, some groups have criticized the timing of the rollout, noting that it was announced just before the May 12 midterm elections and amid a drop in the President’s trust ratings.

Cathy Estavillo, spokesperson for the watchdog group Bantay Bigas, suggested the program was intended to boost the President’s ratings.

Labor group Sentro labeled the rice program as a “band-aid solution” designed for electoral interests rather than addressing long-term poverty.

“You can’t campaign your way out of hunger,” said Sentro Secretary General Josua Mata, urging the government to focus on sustainable solutions.(MyTVCebu)