Palace open to deferring begin of P20/kg rice challenge

Nationwide Meals Authority (NFA) warehouse in Western Visayas (Area 6), positioned in Jaro, Iloilo. —Photograph courtesy of PTV Cebu

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang is open to the proposal of the Fee on Elections (Comelec) to delay the implementation of the sale of rice at P20 per kilogram within the Visayas and in Kadiwa shops because of the ban on election spending 10 days earlier than the Could 12 polls.

“If that’s the suggestion and coverage of the Comelec chair [George Erwin Garcia], then we shall be open to that,” Presidential Communications Workplace Undersecretary and Palace press officer Claire Castro instructed reporters on Wednesday.

Though the Comelec exempted this system of the Division of Agriculture (DA) from the 45-day prohibition on the disbursement of public funds earlier than Election Day, it was not clear if the sale of cheaper rice shares was additionally exempted from the election spending ban from Could 2 to Could 12.

READ: Nationwide sale of P20/kg rice nonetheless missing Comelec approval

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. mentioned the challenge can be deferred till after Election Day in the event that they fail to safe the approval of Comelec. The DA has but to obtain any discover from the ballot physique as of this writing.

Below the rice program alleged to be launched on Could 1, households within the Visayas should buy as much as 10 kilograms of rice per week or 40 kg a month.

Beginning Could 2, these within the weak sectors—indigents, senior residents, solo dad and mom, and individuals with disabilities—should buy as much as 30 kilos a month from Kadiwa facilities.

10-day pause

Garcia prompt on Wednesday that the DA quickly halt the implementation of this initiative till after Could 12, or when the 10-day whole ban on election spending is lifted.

Which means the lower-priced rice shall be rolled out on Could 1 as promised by President Marcos—however the challenge could be paused for 10 days till after Election Day.

“I’ve a suggestion. For the reason that ban is for 10 days, if the sale of lower-priced rice begins on Thursday, that’s okay for a rollout. The following rollout may be after the elections to keep away from hypothesis that will probably be used for politicking,” Garcia mentioned.