The Department of Agriculture (DA) has no control to lower price of rice to P20 per kilo, DA Undersecretary for Rice Industry Development Leocadio Sebastian said on Tuesday.

According to Sebastian, even though the agency reached the target of 95% rice sufficiency at the end of the term of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in 2028, the price of rice depends on the market.

Sebastian said that they can lower the post-harvest cost and production cost, but they cannot make the price of rice to P20 per kilo.

According to the DA Undersecretary, the price of rice will stabilize at P45 to P46 per kilo during the harvest season.

Sebastian explained that due to the entry of imported rice into the country at high prices, the price of local rice is also increasing in the markets.

The House earlier instructed the DA that the agency's projection remains twice as high as the President's promise that it will lower the price of rice in the country.

Meanwhile, during the House Committee on Appropriations hearing on the DA's proposed P167.5 billion fund, Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman, questioned if the P20 kilo of rice under Marcos' term is on the DA's road map.

Sebastian responded that the DA officials did not discuss the P20 per kilo, but he included it in their desire but not the said amount.