The National Food Authority (NFA) Administrator Larry Lacson has assured the public that the quality of P20-per-kilo rice being released under the government’s subsidized rice program is fit for human consumption and not for animals.
“Katulad ng nababanggit ko lagi, hindi tayo magpapalabas ng pangit na bigas o hindi na makakain, sabihin na natin ‘hindi pang-hayop’ po,” Lacson emphasized in the DZRH Dos Por Dos interview.
These remarks come in response to recent comments made by Vice President Sara Duterte, questioning the real intent behind the push for P20-per-kilo rice and accused the administration of deceiving the public, especially with elections approaching.
“Ang katotohanan po niyan may percentage of brokenness, mga 25% ang brokenness,” said Lacson.
He clarified that while the rice is regularly milled and contains up to 25% broken grains, it meets national standards and undergoes rigorous quality control before being made available to the public.
“Ito po ay regular, on a monthly basis chinecheck po iyan, tinetest, inaamoy at lahat po ng parameters ay ginagawa,” Lacson further assured consumers, emphasizing that the rice is safe, regularly tested, and fit for human consumption.
“Kapag hindi pumasa sa parameters ng NFA, hindi na po iyan nilalabas. Ganoon po tayo kasigurado sa testing system natin,” he added.
The administrator also provided updates on rice availability, stating that the NFA has a fresh stock of rice, including newly milled and recently procured harvests, with a total of 7.56 million bags nationwide.
Furthermore, in the Visayas region (Regions 6, 7, and 8), he reported a stock equivalent to 1.2 million bags, with most supply concentrated in Region 6.
The Palace also defended the criticism and called for unity among leaders and discouraged divisive rhetoric, urging public figures not to act like “termites of society.”
