MANILA — A rice retailer group expressed concern on Wednesday over the Department of Agriculture's (DA) announcement that it would launch a P20 per kilo of rice program.

The Grains Retailers Confederation of the Philippines (Grecon) said the DA should have released clear guidelines on the program so that it would not be abused by other customers.

"Kailangan lang siguro ng clear guidelines kung paano natin ito ibebenta. Baka kasi mapagsamantalahan ng mga ibang kababayan natin [kasi] syempre malaki ang diperensiya ng P20," Grecon Spokesperson Orly Manuntag said in an interview with TeleRadyo Serbisyo's Johnson Ikwento Mo.

According to Manuntag, they have observed a price range of P35-P45 per kilo in imported rice and some local rice at a price range of P48-P50 per kilo.

He added that they were also surprised with the announcement as they were not informed beforehand by the government.

"Syempre nagulat kami na biglang nagkaroon [ang] gobyerno natin ng P20 per kilo na bigas. Una naming [inisip] dito ay ano ang mga detalye. Paano ito ibebenta? Ito ba ay para sa lahat? Ito ba ay para sa selected nating mga kababayan kagaya ng mga seniors natin o PWD o marginalized sector. 'Yun yung mga hinihintay namin," he said.

READ: Agri dept to sell P20/kilo rice in Visayas

The DA announced on Wednesday that it would launch a P20 per kilo of rice program in the Visayas region starting next week.

It would be sold to indigents, including senior citizens, members of the 4Ps program, persons with disabilities and single parents.

The program will be piloted in Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Eastern Visayas, which are most in need of the cheaper rice option, before it is implemented nationwide, said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.