DA: P20/kilo rice to be sold in Visayas

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. yesterday announced that the government will start selling rice at P20 per kilo in the Visayas following a closed-door meeting with President Marcos and 12 governors at Cebu Provincial Capitol.

- By Bella Cariaso

At a press conference, Tiu Laurel said the government will allot at least P3.5 billion to P4.5 billion to subsidize the program.

"We are launching it (P20 per kilo of rice) here because many in the (Visayas) region are in need but of course the eventual intention of the program, once we sort out all the issues logistically, is to launch it and manage it nationwide, eventually," Tiu Laurel said.

"It was agreed that each family may avail itself of (a maximum) 10 kilos per week or 40 kilos per month," Tiu Laurel added.

"It may sound ugly, but people need it here more," Tiu Laurel said, adding that the Visayas has a high retail price of rice in its 12 provinces.

According to Tiu Laurel, the government can tap the stocks of the National Food Authority, now pegged at 358,000 metric tons (MT).

Reducing the price of rice to P20 per kilo was a key campaign promise of Marcos during the 2022 presidential race.