By Brian Campued
Malacañang on Thursday clapped back at Vice President Sara Duterte for the latter’s criticisms on the selling of P20 per kilo rice, which is set to be initially implemented in Visayas next week.
Speaking at a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro questioned why critics are still “being negative” even if the administration is fulfilling President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s aspiration to make affordable rice accessible to Filipinos.
“Huwag sanang pairalin ang crab mentality at huwag maging anay sa lipunan,” Castro said.
The Palace official, likewise, urged the public to unite and support the government in realizing the President’s aspirations for his countrymen.
“Sana po sa mga lider, ang tunay na lider at ang tunay na Pilipino ay dapat sumusuporta sa kapwa Pilipino lalong-lalo na sa pinuno ng bansa,” she said.
Castro also clarified that the rice that will be sold for P20 per kilo is of the same quality as the rice that is currently sold at P33 per kilo in markets.
“Hindi porke’t po mura ang bigas sasabihin na panghayop ang nasabing bigas. Liliwanagin lamang po natin: ang ibebentang bigas ay iyong bigas po na nabibili ngayon sa halagang 33 pesos. So, huwag po nating maliitin ang mga farmers natin dahil [sa] local farmers po manggagaling ang bigas na ito,” she said.
‘Deeply hurt’
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. also expressed “disappointment” over the Vice President’s remarks questioning the quality of rice from the National Food Authority (NFA).
“With all due respect to the Vice President, the Department of Agriculture (DA) family is deeply hurt by her suggestion that NFA rice to be sold is ‘hindi pantao, [kundi] panghayop,’” Laurel said.
“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,” he added.
The DA chief on Wednesday explained that Visayas was chosen to be the testbed of the program due to the NFA having adequate rice stock inventory in its warehouses in the region.
The program will eventually be rolled out nationwide once logistical challenges are addressed and the implementation strategies are identified, Laurel added. (with report from Clay Pardilla / PTV News)
-iro/av
