NFA vouches for quality, sustainability of P20 rice

CEBU CITY — Amid doubts and concerns about the quality and sustainability of the government's P20 rice program, the National Food Authority Central Visayas (NFA-7) assured the public on Monday that Cebu is prepared for the program's launch, and the rice stocks meet the quality standards set by law.

Olma Nedia, acting public information officer of NFA-7, said approximately 11,000 bags of rice have already passed quality inspection.

The inspected stocks are now secured in their warehouses and ready for distribution to participating local government units (LGUs).

Nedia said that the rice stocks have passed the quality requirements outlined under Republic Act 12078, which mandates the NFA to source good quality palay from local farmers for the initiative.

She added that NFA classifiers had undergone refresher training courses to standardize quality inspections.

"Our rice stocks are clean, properly classified and sourced from the local farmers' dry season harvests," Nedia said.

"We made sure that these meet the required moisture content and milling standards," she added.

Agriculture Secretary Francis Tiu Laurel Jr. earlier clarified, in response to a question from The Manila Times during his visit to the Provincial Capitol, that the rice to be sold under the program will be sourced locally from Filipino farmers.

Nedia acknowledged the public's skepticism but gave assurance that the NFA has enforced strict quality control measures and is closely monitoring the rice stocks to maintain standards.

"We are confident that our rice will meet the expectations of the public," she said.

Vice President Sara Duterte, meanwhile, criticized the Marcos administration for launching the P20 rice program shortly before the elections, suggesting it was politically motivated.

Speaking at a political event in Carcar City, Duterte questioned the timing of the program, which was promised during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s campaign in 2022 but is only now being implemented as the midterm elections approach.

She noted that the poor are being exploited for political gain.

Earlier, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia defended the initiative, emphasizing that it is meant to help indigent families and not to serve political interests.

During a meeting with Cebu mayors, Garcia said that the program is not a form of vote-buying and clarified that the rice would be sold at a subsidized price, not given away for free.

LGUs in Cebu, including Malabuyoc and Daanbantayan, have already begun selling the P20 rice ahead of the May 1 nationwide rollout.