The Department of Agriculture (DA) is expected to declare a food security emergency next week, particularly on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, in response to persistently high rice prices.
“Ang expectation by Monday, mare-receive na ng DA ‘yung kopya ng resolution ng approval ng recommendation na mag-declare nga ng food security emergency,” DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa stated during a news forum on Saturday.
(The expectation is that by Monday, the DA will receive a copy of the resolution approving the recommendation to declare a food security emergency.)
De Mesa added that the resolution will be reviewed by Monday and Tuesday, with the Secretary expected to act by Wednesday. “Most likely, again, the declaration of a food security emergency,” he said.
Food Security Emergency Justified
The National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) recently approved a resolution urging the DA to declare a “food security emergency for rice” amid high commodity prices.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the declaration is “justified,” citing sufficient data to support the move. The law amending the Agricultural Tariffication Act (Republic Act 12078) grants the Agriculture Secretary the authority to declare a food security emergency due to a rice supply shortage or extraordinary price increases.
According to Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque, the declaration will enable the National Food Authority (NFA) to release its buffer stock of 300,000 metric tons of rice to stabilize prices. These stocks will be replenished with locally produced rice to support Filipino farmers. Roque emphasized that the measure would protect consumer welfare while strengthening the agricultural sector.
Government Programs to Alleviate Price Pressures
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated on Friday that the declaration aims “to force the price down” after all other measures failed to achieve the desired results.
De Mesa attributed the extraordinary rice price increase to ongoing supply issues, noting that even with reduced tariffs on imported rice, prices remain high. The DA plans to expand affordable rice programs, including its “Rice for All” initiative, which offers rice at PHP 38 per kilogram. This program uses mixed grains and is expected to extend to provinces such as Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, and Iloilo by February or March.
The move also aims to decongest NFA warehouses in preparation for the February harvest, ensuring better storage capacity for locally sourced rice.