P20/kg rice sold in Cebu despite Comelec advice
CEBU CITY—The government rolled out on Labor Day its program to sell rice at P20 per kilogram in Cebu despite a suggestion from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to move its launching to after the May 12 elections.
Buyers were required to present at least one valid government ID so they could purchase a minimum of 1 kilo up to 10 kg from the stalls set up outside the Cebu provincial capitol.
Present during the rollout were Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, and Vice Gov. Hilario Davide III.
“Today, Labor Day, we fulfill a promise made three years ago by President Bongbong Marcos to the Filipino people: to bring down the price of rice to P20 per kilo. That promise is now a reality—benteng bigas meron na (P20 rice is here)!” Tiu Laurel Jr. said at the launch.
Under its agreement with local officials, the Department of Agriculture (DA) will supply the rice to be sold by the provincial government.
In a press briefing in Bacolod City on the same day, Comelec Chair George Erwin Garcia reiterated his suggestion that the program be suspended between May 2 and May 12.
He said the sale of cheap rice is deemed a form of “ayuda” or assistance that is covered by the 10-day ban on all forms of election spending.
According to Garcia, the program is partly subsidized by local governments that contribute P6.50 per kilo which is considered aid and requires an exemption from Comelec.
Election offense
If the local government insists on the distribution of ayuda and the sale of rice, these will be considered an election offense, he said.
“Only medical and burial assistance are exempted from the 10-day ban,” he added.
The P20/kg rice program launched in the Visayas region will benefit around 800,000 households or four million people. Each family can purchase up to 10 kg per week or 40 kg a month.
The DA earlier said the region was chosen as the pilot site for the program that will run until December because of its higher-than-average poverty incidence rate.
Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. signed earlier this week an executive order to provide well-milled rice at P20 per kilo exclusively to families of undernourished children identified under a national nutrition survey.
To fund the “Rice Para sa Bayan at 20 Pesos” initiative, the provincial government has secured a P19 million counterpart fund which will cover the needs of targeted beneficiaries until December.
However, Defensor clarified that the rice sales would not start immediately.
“Will we sell next week? No. This is still a developing program. We must first handle procurement, ensure the availability of rice, and operationalize the logistical requirements. This program involves logistics and mobilization. We will be transporting rice and setting up Kadiwa centers,” Defensor said.
In Eastern Visayas, government leaders have yet to formally implement the P20 per kg rice program as the DA regional office says it is still waiting for the implementing guidelines.
“What we know so far is that the National Food Authority will lead the effort by selling rice to the Food Terminal Inc. which will then distribute it to local government units (LGUs). The LGUs, in turn, will sell the rice to consumers at P20 per kg,” said Jason Padul, DA-8 regional information officer. —WITH REPORTS FROM JORDEENE B. LAGARE, NESTLE SEMILLA-DAKAY, CARLA GOMEZ, JOEY GABIETA AND RUCHELLE DENICE DEMAISIP
