MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is considering declaring a food security emergency on rice to address the high cost of rice following recommendations from the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC), according to DA Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel. 

This comes in response to extraordinary price levels in the retail rice market, despite decreasing global rice prices and tariff cuts.

“Even with tariff cuts and declining world prices, the retail prices have not gone down significantly. The trend level of prices remains extraordinary,” Tiu-Laurel said in mixed English and Filipino during a press briefing.

Tiu-Laurel said that the NPCC has recognized these conditions and recommended the declaration of a food security emergency. However, the council’s role is purely recommendatory, leaving the final decision to the DA Secretary.

If a food security emergency is declared, the National Food Authority (NFA) will be authorized to release its existing buffer stock of rice. 

These stocks could be distributed through government-owned and controlled corporations, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Office of Civil Defense, local government units , and the Kadiwa program.

This move aims to free up space in NFA warehouses, enabling the agency to purchase palay from local farmers in preparation for the upcoming harvest season. 

Tiu-Laurel noted that it is important to maintain a balance between ensuring food security and supporting farmers through timely procurement at fair prices.

“NFA warehouses currently hold almost 300,000 tons of rice. With the harvest season approaching, we face a logistical issue. We need to clear these stocks to accommodate new purchases from farmers,” he said.

Other measures explored

While declaring a food security emergency is a last-resort measure, the DA is actively pursuing other strategies to stabilize rice prices. 

These include implementing the National Single Rice Price (NSRP) system, revising labeling regulations, and coordinating with importers, retailers, and wholesalers.

At the same time, the DA has engaged with Metro Manila mayors and other government agencies, including the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), the police, and the military, to ensure comprehensive action.

Under the amended Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), the NFA faces restrictions in disposing of its stocks unless the rice has reached a certain age. However, Tiu-Laurel stressed the urgency of distributing current stocks to make room for the next harvest.

“It’s critical that we sell or distribute the rice we have now. This allows us to buy palay from farmers at fair prices and ensure the proper rotation of stocks,” he said.

The DA is expected to finalize its decision before the end of January.