President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has officially launched the sale of rice at ₱20 per kilo in the Visayas, a move seen as fulfilling a major campaign pledge to make food more affordable for Filipinos.
The announcement was made by the Presidential Communications Office following a meeting between Marcos and Visayas governors on April 23, 2025. The discussion reportedly focused on accelerating the rollout of the low-cost rice initiative, with local leaders expressing full support.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Laurel Jr. backed the program, saying the reduced price is expected to lessen the financial burden on households, particularly among poor communities hit hardest by inflation.
Despite the optimism from the administration, Vice President Sara Duterte raised red flags regarding the rice’s quality. In a separate statement, Duterte questioned whether rice sold at such a low price could still meet acceptable standards for human consumption.
She stressed the need for the government to ensure not only affordability but also safety and nutritional value, emphasizing that low-quality food may pose health risks. Duterte further urged public officials to focus on delivering honest service rather than making populist promises.
As of this writing, the government has not released details on where the rice is sourced or how quality assurance will be handled.
