CEBU - The P20 per kilo rice  program, also known as “Benteng Bigas Meron na," was officially launched in the Visayas Thursday, May 1. 

It was a simultaneous event but the Cebu leg was special as it was graced by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. Simultaneous events were also held in Bohol, Iloilo and Samar through the Kadiwa ng Pangulo.

Many were seen lining up to get the cheaper rice from the National Food Authority. 

“Twenty pesos ito! Samantala kung bibili tayo nasa 48 pesos,” said senior citizen Letty Romero who was at the venue hours before the start of the program. 

“Masaya ako, dahil sa dami ng tao, ako ang unang makakabili ng murang bigas. Malaki na itong maitutulong sa pamilya ko,” added Gina Mandiuya, who has a disability on her left leg. 

The program was coursed through the province’s Sugbo Merkadong Barato and will prioritize the indigent. Each person will be allowed to buy 10 kilos of rice per week or 40 kilos in a month. 

Laurel and the provincial government signed the memorandum of understanding where the province will subsidize half of the excess amount pegged for the selling price. 

This means if the actual price is P33/kilo, the province subsidizes P7.50 and the other half will be shouldered by the national government.

RICE QUALITY 

Laurel and Governor Gwen Garcia dispelled rumors that the P20/kg rice is not of good quality.

"This is rice from our farmers. Let us put our faith in them. Quality din naman ang Filipino farmers, quality ang Filipino rice,” said Garcia.

She said the program will greatly help the farmers who rely on rice for their livelihood.

“Basically it is a win-win situation. Ito ang inutos ng ating Pangulo at talagang nakatutok ang Pangulo natin ng ating bansa sa proyektong ito,” said Laurel Jr.

The agriculture department has presented multiple options to the President on how to sustain the program.

ON SELLING AND THE ELECTION BAN

The P20/kg rice program will go on hiatus on Friday pending clarification on the May 2–12 ban on the distribution of government aid during the election period.

“To be on the safe side, siyempre ayaw natin na… ayoko naman makasuhan. After today, after election na lang," the agriculture chief said.

Cebu has sought an exemption from the ban with provisions such as the launch being conducted in a public place and that the rice will be sold and not distributed in the presence of political candidates.

Garcia said she called Comelec Chairman George Garcia for clarification. 

“Cebu has Sugbo Merkadong Barato. It is already an existing program and we are helping our farmers sell their own products. That is an ongoing program," she said.

"Let us not prolong the suffering of the Filipino people. They have been waiting for this for too long," she added.

The launch ended with a ceremonial cooking and eating of the NFA rice. 

NFA Cebu said it has 500 sacks for today’s event in the Capitol and another 11,000 for other local government units in the province.