National rollout halted but Cebu to continue selling cheap rice

Local

THE Cebu Provincial Government will proceed with selling rice at P20 per kilo under its Sugbo Mercadong Barato (SMB) program, even as the Department of Agriculture (DA) temporarily halts its national rollout in compliance with election-related restrictions.

Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia on Thursday, May 1, clarified that Cebu’s subsidized rice initiative is not covered by the suspension, citing a prior exemption granted by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

The DA earlier this week launched the P20-rice program in the Visayas, starting in Cebu. However, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. later announced that the agency would pause the nationwide implementation to adhere to Comelec guidelines on the distribution of public assistance during the election period.

Laurel said the DA would hold off on further rollout to avoid potential legal complications, despite Comelec previously granting permission.

“Ayaw ko naman makasuhan... base sa huling usapan ng aking Chief of Staff sa Comelec, ang sagot nila na baka after today, after elections na (I don’t want to get sued… based on the last conversation my Chief of Staff had with the Comelec, their response was that maybe after today, it would have to be after the elections),” he said during the event.

Garcia, however, insisted that the Capitol’s SMB program, which already existed before the campaign season, had been cleared by the Comelec to continue.

She said the provincial government formally sought exemption and received direct confirmation from Comelec Chairman George Garcia.

The governor added that SMB follows conditions set by the poll body, including public sale of rice in non-political settings and ensuring candidates are not present during distributions.

She emphasized that the initiative should not be mistaken for dole-outs since the rice is sold, not given away.

Garcia maintained that the program is based on fair access, with each beneficiary allowed to buy up to 10 kilograms per week to prevent hoarding.

The SMB program is the country’s first local government-led initiative aligned with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s goal of providing affordable rice to Filipinos.

In 2023, the Cebu Capitol allocated P100 million to purchase rice from the National Food Authority, distributing it equitably across 51 local government units in the province.

Garcia also noted that the program plays a vital role in supporting Filipino farmers, as the rice is sourced directly from them.

“Quality din naman ang Filipino farmers, quality din naman ang Filipino rice (Filipino farmers produce quality goods, and Filipino rice is of good quality too),” she said.

During the event, officials demonstrated and led the cooking of rice and consuming it afterwards to assure its quality despite its low price.

Aside from Capitol and DA officials, other prominent figures at the event present are Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia.

Laurel acknowledged the province's exemption, saying that the arrangement was between the Comelec and Cebu’s local government, and would be respected.

Garcia called on other Visayas governors to seek similar exemptions to continue their own rollouts, stressing that the needs of the people must come first.

“Let us not prolong the suffering of the Filipino people. They've been waiting for this for too long and everyday is precious to them,” she said.(MyTVCebu)