Amid the Issues, Comelec Speaks on Controversial P20 per Kilo Rice Program of PH Government
COMELEC – The Commission on Elections advised the government to delay the rollout of the P20 per kilo rice after the May 2025 Elections.
Previously, the Department of Agriculture announced that there will be a rollout of affordable rice in Visayas. The DA said that due to the excess of the NFA rice in the region, it will be sold at P20 per kilo. However, the said announcement was met by various reactions.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte claimed that the P20 per kilo rice is allegedly another “budol” to the Filipino people. She also expressed her doubts on the intention behind the rollout of affordable rice saying that Luzon and Mindanao also needs affordable rice.
According to the Vice President, there might be a problem with the votes in Visayas. Malacañang hit back at Vice Pres. Duterte calling on her to stop “crab mentality”. Palace press officer Atty. Claire Castro said that it is a long time aspiration of Pres. Bongbong Marcos that is coming to realization now.
Following her expression of doubts on the intention of the government, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte also stressed that the P20 per kilo rice should be fit for human consumption. According to her, rice with this price nowadays are the ones being fed to pigs.
The Department of Agriculture said they were “deeply hurt” by the statement of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. stressed that they in the department cook and eat NFA rice daily and they can vouch for the quality of the rice to be sold at a cheap price.
The agriculture department held a media conference where the officials presented the NFA rice that will be sold at P20 per kilo. The officials of DA also ate the rice to guarantee its quality.
However, recently, the Commission on Elections of Comelec aired its suggestion to the Philippine government over the rollout of the P20 per kilo NFA rice. Based on a report on PhilStar, Comelec advised the government to set its rollout after the elections.
According to Comelec Chairman George Garcia, it is “to avoid being accused of politicizing the rice rollout”. He explained that while the Commission has granted the agriculture department an exemption in the rice rollout in support of the program of the government, the local government units (LGUs) are covered by the 10-day ban on the distribution of all forms of welfare assistance except for medical and burial assistance.
Based on the report, the Comelec Chairman admitted that because the rice is not covered by the exemption, it may be considered a form of ayuda. Thus, the elections-organizing body suggests that the rollout will start after May 2025 Midterm polls this May 12.
Previously, the agriculture department announced that P5 billion funds will be used to subsidize the P20 per kilo rice program. According to the DA, the rice that will be sold at P20 per kilo is originally priced at P33 per kilo.