DA chief condoles with family of elderly who died while waiting to buy P20 per kilo rice

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Thursday sent condolences to the family of the 73-year-old senior citizen who died while waiting to buy a P20 per kilo rice in the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) office in Quezon City.

The senior citizen died after he was hit by a speeding vehicle that went over the sidewalk, while the BAI is an agency under the Department of Agriculture.

“Nakita ko yung litrato. Nakita ko ‘yung video. Nakikiramay ho kami sa pamilya ng nasawi,” Tiu Laurel told reporters.

(I already sent an emissary and assistance to the family yesterday.

Laurel also said that he has sent assistance to the family.

“Yesterday, nagpadala na ako ng tulong at emissary. Personal assistance [ko ito],” Tiu Laurel added.

(I already sent emissary and assistance to the family yesterday. It is a personal assistance.)

The Agriculture chief then vowed to further improve the implementation of the selling of the P20 per kilo rice.

“We'll see how we can improve the safety of our consumers who are buying the P20 per kilo rice. The demand for it really increased because of the oil crisis,” the Agriculture chief added. —VAL, GMA News