Manila, April 24 -- Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Thursday expressed dismay over Vice President Sara Duterte's remark on the possible quality of PHP20 per kilogram rice to be sold in the Visayas region.

This came after the DA announced on Wednesday the pilot sale of the PHP20/kg. rice in the Visayas, which will soon be followed by a nationwide implementation.

In a statement, Tiu Laurel debunked Duterte's remarks, citing that the NFA supply comes from palay (unhusked rice) procurement from local farmers.

"With all due respect to the Vice President, the Department of Agriculture family is deeply hurt by her suggestion that NFA rice to be sold is 'hindi pang tao, pang hayop (not for humans, but for a...