Rice to be sold at P20/kg in the Visayas, says agri chief

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced in Cebu that the government will sell rice at P20 per kilo in the Visayas. (Screen grab from the Department of Agriculture’s Facebook page)

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced on Wednesday that rice will be sold at P20 per kilo in the Visayas region.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announce this at a press briefing streamed live via Facebook. He said that President Marcos instructed his department to implement this program until 2028.

“We’re launching it here because there are more people in need in these regions,” Tiu Laurel said.

Capped at 4 kg a week

Tiu Laurel said the plan is to implement the P20 per kilo rice program nationwide. This, once they have sorted out all logistical issues to see how to operate, launch and manage it.

According to the agriculture chief, the purchase of such rice is capped at 10 kilograms per week.

Tiu Laurel announced this program following a closed-door meeting with President Marcos and 12 Visayas governors at the Cebu Provincial Capitol.