P20/kilo rice in Visayas driven by necessity, not politics – Abby Binay

Makati City mayor and senatorial candidate Abby Binay in a recent press conference in Cebu City

MANILA, Philippines – Senatorial candidate and Makati City Mayor Abby Binay on Friday said the selection of provinces in the Visayas for the pilot rollout of the P20-Rice Program was not politically motivated, but driven by necessity.

Speaking at a press conference held prior to the proclamation rally of the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas in Dagupan City, Binay lamented that the government’s efforts intended to help indigent families and farmers are being doubted and criticized.

“Sasabihin mo ba sa mga tao,  ‘after the election na lang ha, doon ko lang ibibigay yung murang bigas kasi sasabihin na namumulitika ako.’ Hindi naman po ganoon ang trabaho ng gobyerno. Kung maibibigay mo na ngayon, ibigay mo na. Hindi mo pwedeng sabihin na, “O, mag-aantay ako ng magandang timing’,” Binay said.

Binay underscored that the government is launching the program to make rice more affordable especially to indigent residents, while helping farmers affected by falling rice prices in the global market as well.

Many problems are beyond the control of the President, including inflation and the rising costs of electricity and fuel, which is why the government has to step in with the rice subsidy program, she said.

“Tumutulong na yung gobyerno, pinipintasan pa rin. Saan ba tayo lulugar? Ang hirap, ang hirap ng posisyon na ito,” Binay said.

Binay also said the decision to make the P20 rice available in the Visayas should not be seen as politicking, otherwise Mindanao would have been the priority.

“I don’t think the President, or the administration chooses it in such a way na kung saan mahina, saan malakas. I feel that the judgement call was based on sino ba yung talagang nangangailangan, kaya yun ang pinili,” Binay said.