Consumer group questions pilot run of P20/kilo rice in Visayas

Consumer group Bantay Bigas on Thursday questioned the government’s move to implement the pilot run of the P20 per kilo rice in the Visayas, saying it could be an electioneering tactic. 

“Double digit yung pag baba ng kanyang trust rating at siyempre puwede pabanguhin yung image ni BBM which will translate doon sa kanyang senatorial slate para matiyak 'yung boto para sa kanila,” said group spokesperson Cathy Estavillo in Bernadette Reyes’ report in “24 Oras.” 

(His trust rating went down by two digits and they need to do something to improve Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s image which could also translate into a possible vote for the administration’s senatorial slate.) 

The Department of Agriculture on Wednesday said the affordable rice will be available in selected areas in the Visayas starting next week. 

The national government and some localities will allot P3.5 billion to P4.5 billion subsidy for the program. 

Since the rice will be sold for only P20 per kilo, the government will shoulder the price difference. 

While the Federation of Free Farmers Cooperative appreciates the motive behind the program, the group said the government could incur a big loss in the long run. 

“Hindi kaya better use nito or at least malaking bahagi ng subsidy nito para palakasin mo yung productivity ng farmers,” said chairperson Leonardo Montemayor. 

(I think the better use for this is to use a large portion of the subsidy to boost the productivity of the farmers.) 

Malacanang, on the other hand, explained the program was piloted in the Visayas as there’s more demand there for affordable rice and the National Food Authority has more supply in the region. 

But it assured the program will be rolled out nationwide until 2028. 

Further, Malacanang said the program has nothing to do with Marcos’ recent trust rating in response to Vice President Sara Duterte’s recent comment. 

“Noon pa po ito pinag-uusapan. Nakasama po ako minsan sa isang pribadong meeting para po dito, para ipatupad po ang P20 kada kilo na bigas,'' Castro said. ''Nauna pa po ito napag-usapan ng DA, ng NFA bago pa po lumabas ang mga survey ratings na iyan.” 

(This has been discussed a long time ago. I was part of the private meeting where they discussed the implementation of the P20 per kilo rice. This was already discussed by the DA, NFA before the survey ratings were released.) —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News