'Tulong sa Bayan' rice snubbed

Tulong sa Bayan rice costs P39 per kilo but no one seems interested in buying this type of rice in the market. PHOTO BY BERNADETTE REYES

The “Tulong sa Bayan” rice offered by the National Food Authority to address the shortage of cheap rice, slacked in sales according to retailers.

Lolita de Guzman said she plans to discontinue selling the low-priced commercial, which retails at P39 per kilo due to lack of demand.

“Baka ubusin na lang namin. matumal e sayang lang yun pwesto,” she told GMA News.

Some stores decided not to carry the Tulong sa Bayan rice because of its low quality compared with other types of commercial rice.

Tulong sa Bayan rice costs P39 per kilo while the price of other types of rice such as Sinandomeng, Thai, Denurado range from P41 to P50 per kilo. PHOTO BY BERNADETTE REYES

Karen Regada said she tried the P39 rice but it did not live up to her expectations.

“Hindi po maalsa e. yun pong maalsa hinahanap ko,” she said.

Angelina Jose on the other hand preferred to buy the more expensive variety because of its assured taste.

“Ito binibili ko lagi kasi maganda rin yun bigas,” she said pointing to the Angelica rice.

A handful are willing to give it a try like Delia Inberzo who smelled the rice before she bought a few kilos.

“Wala naman syang amoy pero sinisiguro ko lang kasi kahit sabihin mo tricycle driver mga customer ko gusto nila kumain ng walang lasa,” she said. — BAP, GMA News