DA on BBM’s P20/kilo of rice promise: ‘It’s an aspiration, it’s a target’

Then presidential candidate and now President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. campaigning in Occidental Mindoro. (File photo from his Facebook page dated April 21, 2022)

MANILA, Philippines — The campaign promise of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. that he will reduce the cost of rice to P20 per kilo is still an aspiration for Department of Agriculture (DA).

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. admitted this situation in a Palace briefing on Tuesday.

Tiu Laurel was responding to a question on whether or not the department has achieved the goal.

“It’s an aspiration. It’s a target,” said Laurel.

Marcos’ pledge to bring down rice prices was one of his popular promises during the campaign in the 2022 national elections.

However, almost two years since he clinched the presidency, the value of this Filipino staple is still around P50 per kilo.

Agriculture Secretary Franciso Tiu Laurel Jr. (File photo dated November 13, 2023 from the Facebook page of Senator Robin Padilla)

Laurel said while rice prices also rely on world market, DA is, nevertheless, striving hard to make the goal a reality.

“We will try our best,” Tiu Laurel promised.