By Stephanie Sevillano | Philippine News Agency
On Monday, the Department of Agriculture (D.A.) said it is set to roll out the P20 per kilogram (kg) rice sale in Cebu province in early May as part of the program’s pilot launch in the Visayas region.
This is in line with the food security, accessibility, and affordability targets of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
“Sila (ang) pinaka-ready. The launch is the first week of May or May 1 sa Cebu,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. told the Philippine News Agency in a Viber message.
At least 600,000 sacks of rice will be allocated for Cebu province. So, we are sending them this amount in batches,” Tiu-Laurel said, citing a target of initial delivery within May.
To date, the D.A. is repositioning rice to be released from the National Food Authority (NFA). Other local government units (LGUs) in the Visayas have yet to determine the estimated volume needed for the P20 per kg rice sale launch.
Under the P20 per kg rice sale program, each family will be allowed a 10kg purchase per week or a total of 40 kg every month.
On April 23, Tiu Laurel announced the launch of the said program in the region following a closed-door meeting with President Marcos and 12 governors in the Visayas.
He assured that the program will also be launched nationwide to make cheaper rice available to more Filipinos.
As of April 24, the prevailing price of 5 percent broken or premium imported rice is set at P45 per kg, with prices ranging from P43 to P55 per kg, according to the D.A. Bantay Presyo.
Well-milled imported rice, meanwhile, ranges from P43 to P45 per kg., while imported regular-milled rice costs P35 to P45 per kg.
Local premium rice is also pegged at P44 to P60 per kg; P37 to P54 per kg for local well-milled rice; and P35 to P43 per kg for local regular-milled rice. (PNA)
