Lacson doubts P20/kg rice goal, pushes farmgate buying

Senatorial candidate Panfilo Lacson on Friday expressed doubt about reducing the price of rice to P20 per kilo, stating that while it is a desirable goal, achieving it is challenging.

During a press conference in San Jose del Monte Bulacan, Lacson emphasized his pragmatic approach and highlighted the need for government interventions such as buying 50% of farmers' and fisherfolk's outputs at farmgate prices to stabilize food costs.

Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidate Vicente Sotto III also expressed optimism about the goal during a media interview, stating that procuring 50 percent of local farmers' output could help lower rice prices.

The Kadiwa ng Pangulo kiosk is offering cheaper rice under the Rice for All (RFA) program, with prices further dropping amid the downward trend of global rice prices and the upcoming peak harvest season.

Other candidates advocated for additional measures like increasing funding for irrigation systems and implementing anti-economic sabotage laws to control food prices in the long term.

The candidates also addressed issues related to misinformation and disinformation, sharing their experiences as targets and calling for increased resources to combat cybercrime.