Alyansa bets defend rollout of P20/kilo rice in Visayas

Senatorial candidates from the Alyansa Para Sa Bagong Pilipinas on Friday defended the administration's P20 per kilo rice project in the Visayas region amid criticisms of the timing of its implementation. 

In a press conference in Dagupan, Pangasinan, the administration's senatorial bets pointed out that government assistance should not be withheld to avoid political criticism.

For his part, former Senate President Vicente Sotto III said ''you will never be able to please everyone.''

''Ganoon talaga. Whatever timing it is, kahit last year pa ‘yan, sasabihin konektado sa eleksyon,” Sotto said. 

''The important thing is you do what is right—and do it. Ganoon. For the benefit of the people, whether there is an election or not,'' he added. 

Makati Mayor Abby Binay, meanwhile, dismissed the notion that the timing of the rollout was suspicious as it comes ahead of the midterm elections.

“Sasabihin mo ba sa mga tao, after the election na lang ako magbibigay ng murang bigas kasi sasabihin na namumulitika ako? Hindi naman ho ganoon ang trabaho ng gobyerno,” she said.

“Kung maibibigay mo na ngayon, ibigay mo na. Hindi mo pwedeng sabihin na maghihintay ako ng magandang timing,'' Binay added.

Former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr.'s intention was good, adding that this has been his aspiration since he became the president.

Former Senator Panfilo Lacson, said ''Kapag tinutulungan mo ‘yung [mahihirap] at gutom, nothing is too late, nothing is too little. Gutom ‘yan at kahirapan. ‘Yun lang.”

Meanwhile, ACT-CIS party-list Representative Erwin Tulfo said the public had long been waiting for the promised P20 rice. He also stressed the need to review the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) to ensure the long-term sustainability of affordable rice.

“Matagal nang naniningil ang taongbayan. Pinag-aralan ito noong ako pa’y nasa Gabinete,” Tulfo said. 

“Ngayon na naisakatuparan, may nagsasabi pa ningas-kugon. The best way to sustain this is to review the RTL,” he said.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Wednesday announced the sale of rice at P20 per kilo, which will be piloted in Visayas. He said Marcos wants it to be implemented across the country in the long run.

Laurel had also assured that the Department of Agriculture (DA) has stocks of rice that can be sold at P20 per kilo, noting that the purchase of such is capped at 10 kilograms per week or 40 kilos in a month.

Vice President Duterte, however, called the plan an election promise meant to boost the chances of the Marcos administration's senatorial candidates.

She also said the government was again trying to fool the people with the promise of rice at P20 per kilo. —LDF, GMA Integrated News

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