FACT CHECK: Video of rice price hike amounting to P300 per kilo is AI-generated

Claim: Rice prices will rise to P300 per kilo starting April 1, 2026, due to high gasoline prices, with specific areas being affected first.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: Two Facebook reels posted by Lingkod Bayan News PH on March 20, claimed rice prices would surge to P300 per kilo. The videos featured anchors presenting the information as “Breaking news,” with one of the videos showing the text, “Naku po! Maraming magugutom” (Oh no! Many will go hungry).

One video exclaimed: “Maagang abiso sa lahat na tataas ang presyo ng bigas na aabot sa P300 ang isang kilo simula April 1 dahil sa mataas na presyo ng gasolina. Ang mga lugar na unang maaapektuhan ay makikita sa post namin, tingnan.” 

(Early warning to everyone that the price of rice will increase to P300 per kilo starting April 1 due to high gasoline prices. The areas that will be affected first can be seen in our post, check it out.)

As of writing, the posts have garnered over 280,000 views, 2,700 reactions, 280 comments, and 1,100 shares.

The facts: Rice prices will not reach P300 per kilo on April 1 or anytime in the near future. Deep fake detectors like TruthScan and Hive Moderation flagged the video as likely fake. It is also consistent with a similar video Rappler had debunked before, made using Google Gemini’s Veo 3, an advanced AI text-to-video generator. 

The alleged link listing the places wherein the said price hike would become effective immediately is also fabricated. Instead of directing users to any official list, it redirects to an e-commerce website, as verified through Bitly, putting users at risk of phishing. (READ: Phishing 101: How to spot and avoid phishing)

Rice prices: As of mid-March 2026, retail rice prices range from P40 to P63 per kilo, depending on type and location.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) Bantay Presyo reported that, as of March 18, premium imported rice in Metro Manila is selling for P55 to P63 per kilo. Imported well-milled rice goes for P45 to P49 per kilo, while regular-milled varieties are priced between P42 and P45.

For local rice, premium grades cost P46 to P60 per kilo. Well-milled local rice averages P45 per kilo, and regular-milled rice is about P40. These figures are far below the claimed P300 per kilo, reflecting only a relatively small increase of P2 to P5.

Price measures: To prevent profiteering, the DA proposed a P50 per kilo cap on imported rice on March 16. 

Despite having a stable supply in the country’s food chain, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said this move is prompted mainly by rising fuel and production costs due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The proposed price cap, on the other hand, is expected to progress after the Holy week. 

As it continues to track and manage stocks daily, the National Food Authority (NFA) ensures a steady supply while preventing both shortages and oversupply. The agency reported that two million bags of rice are ready for immediate distribution.

Trade Secretary Cristina Roque also confirmed that prices of basic commodities, including rice, have remained stable for the past 30 days. – Cyril Bocar/Rappler.com

Efren Cyril Bocar is a student journalist based in Llorente, Eastern Samar, and an alumnus of Rappler’s Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship 2024. 

Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.