Agriculture Department “Deeply Hurt” by Sara Duterte’s Remarks on P20 per Kilo Rice

Statement of Agriculture Department on Duterte’s Criticism over P20 per Kilo Rice Sale

AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT – The DA expressed that it is “deeply hurt” by the remarks of Vice President Sara Duterte on the P20 per kilo rice sale in Visayas.

Agriculture Department Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. recently announced that NFA rice will be sold at P20 per kilo in Visayas. It gained different reactions from the public. Vice Pres. Sara Duterte who once urged the Filipinos to demand the fulfillment of the campaign promise of Pres. Bongbong Marcos reacted to the announcement.

Vice Pres. Sara Duterte expressed doubts on the government’s intention over the P20 per kilo rice sale in Visayas. She questioned why it will be available in Visayas only amid the nationwide need for an affordable rice.

The Vice President also raised a speculation that the move can allegedly be election-related. She also previously expressed her concern on the quality of the rice to be sold at P20 per kilo to the Filipinos.

According to Vice Pres. Sara Duterte, the rice that must be sold at P20 per kilo must be fit for human consumption. She stressed that the rice that is often sold at P20 per kilo is usually used for pigs. She emphasized that Filipinos are not animals.

Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, DA Sec. Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said that the Agriculture Department is “deeply hurt” by the suggestion of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte that NFA rice that should be sold must be for human consumption and not for animals.

“[T]he Department of Agriculture family is deeply hurt by her suggestion that NFA rice to be sold is ‘hindi pang tao, pang hayop’,” Tiu said.

Based on the report, the Agriculture Department Secretary reaffirmed their commitment on delivering quality rice to the Filipinos. He also claimed that they cook and eat NFA rice daily.

“We are fully committed to delivering quality rice to our people. At the DA, we cook and eat NFA rice everyday. We can personally vouch for its quality and safety,” the Agriculture Department said.

Reportedly, the DA Secretary claimed that the remarks of Vice Pres. Duterte is an “affront” to the quality of rice that the hardworking farmers are producing. Malacañang previously claimed that the rice that will be sold at P20 per kilo will be the same rice that is currently sold at P33 per kilo.

Malacañang reacted to the criticism of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte on the P20 per kilo rice. Palace press officer Atty. Claire Castro also called on the Filipinos to unite for the fulfillment of the aspirations of Pres. Bongbong Marcos for affordable rice for the Filipinos.