Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. expressed “disappointment” over Vice President Sara Duterte’s remarks questioning the quality of rice from the National Food Authority (NFA), which is to be sold at P20 per kilo.
“With all due respect to the Vice President, the Department of Agriculture (DA) family is deeply hurt by her suggestion that NFA rice to be sold is ‘hindi pang tao, pang hayop’,” said Tiu Laurel, who also chairs the NFA Council.
The agriculture chief stressed the DA’s dedication to ensuring the quality of rice provided under this program of the government, which she remains a part of “our Vice President”.
The agriculture head described the rice program as a key component in fulfilling President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s 2022 campaign promise—to alleviate the financial burden on Filipino families, especially the most vulnerable sectors.
“We are fully committed to delivering quality rice to our people.”
“We are fully committed to delivering quality rice to our people. At the DA, we cook and eat NFA rice every day. We can personally vouch for its quality and safety,” he added.
By law, the NFA is mandated to procure rice only from local farmers, supporting domestic agriculture.
“Saying the rice that NFA distributes is animal feed is an affront to the quality of rice our millions of hardworking farmers produce.”
“Saying the rice that NFA distributes is animal feed is an affront to the quality of rice our millions of hardworking farmers produce. This is false,” Tiu Laurel said.
“We are proud of the quality of Filipino rice,” he added.
Tiu Laurel called on the Vice President to set aside political differences and work in unity with the DA in addressing the daily struggles of ordinary Filipinos.
“We urge the Vice President to join us in this noble endeavor. This initiative is for the Filipino people—whom we have all sworn to serve. Their well-being must remain our highest priority,” he concluded.
