Philippine : DA eyes expanding P20/kilo rice program
The Philippine Department of Agriculture is considering expanding the P20-per-kilo rice program to include low and lower middle-income families, potentially benefiting 60 million Filipinos. While aiming to reach more poor households, especially in Mindanao, officials are weighing supply and logistics. Retailers warn that wider rollout could hurt their livelihood, as they can’t compete with the subsidized price.
MANILA — The Department of Agriculture is looking at the possibility of expanding the sale of P20/kilo rice to low and lower middle income families, Agriculture spokesperson Asec. Arnel de Mesa said on Tuesday.
This comes amid calls to expand the sale outside the vulnerable sector identified earlier. Right now, only 4Ps, senior citizens, PWDs, and solo parents are eligible to buy the cheaper rice.
“The priority palagi sa ngayon, unang makinabang outside the vulnerable sector, yung susunod na mahirap,” De Mesa said.
(The priority outside the vulnerable sector are the poor people.)
“Tinitingnan natin dito, mga 15 million households, corresponding to 60 million Filipinos. At the population that we have right now, that’s half practically of total population na magiging target,” he said.
(We are looking at 15 million households, corresponding to 60 million Filipinos. At the population that we have right now, that’s half practically of our total population.)
The agriculture department said there are many considerations, especially the impact of expanded rollout to the rice industry and the economy.
“Titingnan yung supply, titingnan yung logistics, tsaka saan sila. Ang next phase is Mindanao kung saan registered mahihirap gaya ng Zamboanga, Bangsamoro area, other parts of Mindanao,” De Mesa.
(We would look at the supply, logistics, and their location. The next phase will target Mindanao where a lot of poor families are, especially in Zamboanga, Bangsamoro area, and other parts of Mindanao.)
The Grains Retailers Confederation of the Philippines has sounded an alarm, saying while they are supportive of selling rice to targeted beneficiaries, it shouldn’t be sold to all.
GRECON said sale to all will affect the livelihood of retailers.
“Malaki magiging epekto nito sa ating economy, lalo na sa rice industry. Unang-una, di kayang makipagcompete ng retailer na lumaban sa bente pesos,” said Orly Manuntag, spokesperson of the group.
(This will affect the economy and the rice industry. The retailers cannot compete with P20/kilo rice.)
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Source : ABS-CBN
