MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the release of at least 100,000 metric tons of rice to stabilize supply and strengthen the country’s food security, Malacañang announced Wednesday.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Press Officer Claire Castro said the Department of Agriculture (DA) will auction off some 1.2 million bags, equivalent to 100,000 metric tons, of local rice this week.

“Inaasahang aabot sa ₱25 to ₱28 per kilo ang floor price ng bigas, depende sa edad nito. Layunin din ng auction na paluwagin ang mga bodega para makapag-imbak pa ng karagdagang supply ng bigas – ibig sabihin lamang nito ay maganda ang ani ng ating mga magsasaka,” Castro told reporters in a Palace briefing.

She added that the Marcos administration will also release an additional volume of rice for its flagship “Benteng Bigas, Mayroon na” program, which enables qualified beneficiaries to purchase rice at ₱20 per kilo.

Castro said the government is closely monitoring the market to prevent price manipulation and ensure that both consumers and farmers are protected. The DA is also coordinating with farmers, millers, and traders to keep prices stable ahead of the upcoming two-month rice import ban.

On August 6, Marcos suspended rice imports for 60 days starting September 1, in a bid to shield local farmers from depressed palay prices during harvest season.