MALACANANG expressed confidence that the P20-per-kilo rice program will remain unaffected, even with newly elected officials taking office in Cebu and other parts of the Visayas region.
Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro emphasized that the initiative was launched for the benefit of the people and should remain a top priority for incoming local leaders.
“The program is for the public, and whoever holds office should always serve the people first,” Castro said.
She added that the defeat of officials who initiated the P20 rice program should not be used as a reason to halt it, stressing that it is meant to help their constituents.
“This should not be a political issue. Service is for the people, no matter who is in office,” she noted.
The program was initially launched by former Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, with support from several other governors in the Visayas.
Garcia was defeated by former President Rodrigo Duterte’s ally, Pamela Baricuatro in the gubernatorial race during the May 12 elections.
Based on the official certificate of canvass, Baricuatro, running under PDP-Laban, secured a total of 1,107,924 votes — the highest number legally cast for the position. She was proclaimed on Tuesday, May 13.
Castro urged newly elected officials in the region to keep an open mind and heart in continuing the program, especially as it aims to ease the financial burden of consumers amid rising food prices.
“All who have the means to help their constituents should be open to supporting programs like this,” she said.