Manila, April 23 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday announced the pilot launch of PHP20 per kg. rice sale in the Visayas, in line with the food security, accessibility, and affordability targets of the Marcos administration.

The program's pilot was announced shortly after a closed-door meeting with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and 12 governors in Visayas.

In a press conference streamed via Facebook Live, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said this will be the first time the cheapest rice will be available to the public.

"Ngayon lang natin ila-launch ito, kaya nag-meeting today... It's because, well, mas kailangan ng tao dito tsaka may stocks din tayo dito (We're just launching it now, that's why we have a meeti...