DAVAO CITY – A councilor here has asked the National Bureau of Investigation and National Food Authority to investigate reports of a rice shortage in this city.

Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction head Councilor Diosdado Angelo Junior Mahipus said public welfare is at stake if these reports are true.

“It may be a need to act urgently to verify these reports and request relevant offices and agencies to investigate and verify the reports of the rice shortage immediately,” Mahipus said in a privilege speech during the 20th City Council Regular Session on Tuesday, July 9.

Mahipus said the reports on rice shortage may lead to panic buying and alarming if it is true since rice is a staple and many families may not have sufficient supply for the coming days.

He added that a rice shortage would cause prices to spike, adding to the burden of the people here due to the high monthly electricity and water bills.

“These are unverified reports. I doubt there’s a rice shortage. But there might be people hoarding our supply, leading to the shortage of rice for sale to the public,” Mahipus said in emphasizing the need to verify the reports.

Prior to the reported rice shortage, the government cut tariffs on imported rice from 35 percent to 15 percent until 2028.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s economic advisers expect the move to lower the price to P29 per kilo.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. cautioned that a scarcity of rice could occur if the Supreme Court implements a 60-day Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against Executive Order 62 which reduced tariffs.

Laurel said if a TRO is issued, rice importers will cease importing and instead use their remaining stocks. He added that the rice buffer stock will be depleted when the TRO is lifted.