Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the provincial government is waiting for the mechanics on the pilot sale of P20 per kilogram rice in the Visayas region.
“Negros Occidental will do its best to be part of this program,” he said on Friday, April 25.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday announced the pilot launch of P20 per kg. rice sale in the Visayas, in line with the food security, accessibility, and affordability targets of the Marcos administration.
The program’s pilot was announced shortly after a closed-door meeting with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and 12 governors in Visayas.
“We’re waiting because on Monday, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. is calling all regional directors and they will discuss the mechanics on how to go about this proposal to sell rice at P20 per kilo,” Lacson said.
Lacson said DA-NIR Rgional Director Jose Albert Barrogo will give him an update after the meeting with Tiu Lauel.
“RD Barrogo assured me what we will provide are freshly-milled rice, not more than three months old,” he said.
For the initial phase, sale of P20 per kg. rice will be limited to 10 kg. for every household per week or a total of 40 kg. every month.
The rice that will be sold at a cheaper price is the same as the variety being sold in the markets at P33 per kg.
The national government and the local government units will shoulder the price difference between the market rate and the subsidized P20 per kilo.
“This idea came from Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia that’s why Visayas is taking the lead, because somehow, we are organized. The governors are united to help this administration,” he said.*PNA