National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Año expressed support for the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) planned move to declare a food security emergency by the end of January due to the rising prices of rice.

Año said the country’s food security “is a national security interest” and a major component of the Marcos administration’s 15-point National Security Agenda as outlined in the 2023 National Security Policy (NSP).

Set for implementation from 2023 to 2028, the NSP is the country’s overarching policy document that spells out the aspirations and defines the strategic direction of the whole government to protect, preserve, and enhance national security.

It includes a 15-point agenda designed to protect the country's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the well-being of the Filipino people, including ensuring that food is available, affordable, accessible, and safe for everyone.

He said food security is also articulated in the 2024 National Security Strategy (NSS) which mandates the government’s role in ensuring food availability, accessibility, affordability, and safety.

“As such, we support the declaration of a food security emergency by the Department of Agriculture to reduce the price of rice in the country,” he stated.

The NSA pointed out that under Republic Act 12708 or the Agricultural Tariffication Act, the Secretary of Agriculture can declare a food security emergency “if there is an extraordinary increase in the price of rice or if there is a rice shortage in the country.”

“While there is a sufficient supply of rice in the country, the price of rice, however, remains artificially high despite declining global rice costs and tariff reductions ordered by the President,” Año said.

“Since rice is the country’s staple food, artificially high prices directly impact the lives of all Filipinos. The Department of Agriculture therefore is well within its authority to effectively regulate and reduce the price to protect the interests of the public,” he said.

During the past months, rice prices have remained high despite declining global rice costs and tariff reductions ordered by President Marcos Jr.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said he will declare a food security emergency before the end of January to address the spiking retail prices of rice.

This, as the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) issued a resolution urging the DA to declare a “food security emergency for rice.”

The declaration of a food security emergency will allow the National Food Authority (NFA) to sell rice stocks to local government units (LGUs) and other government agencies at a lower price, free up space in NFA warehouses, and help local farmers through palay procurement for the upcoming harvest season.

Meanwhile, Año called on market actors to be “one with the government” in addressing the high prices of rice.

“Profiteering from the food security emergency, politicizing this issue for partisan political interest, and other malicious activities will cause more harm to the Filipino people. Now is not the time for more profits. Now is the time to put the country first,” he said.