The government is moving to declare a national food security emergency this week in response to persistently high rice prices in some regions, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.

In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said Wednesday, Jan. 29, that he aims to obtain approval from the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) this week for the declaration, which would authorize the release of rice buffer stocks.

Despite global rice price reductions and the lowering of rice tariffs from 35 percent to 15 percent in July 2022, certain areas continue to face elevated rice prices. 

The DA said the food security emergency measure is intended to stabilize prices and ensure access to affordable rice for Filipino consumers.

National Food Authority (NFA) Administrator Larry Lacson, meanwhile, said that the agency plans to release 150,000 metric tons of rice (approximately three million 50-kilo bags) over six months, prioritizing areas with the highest rice prices. 

“This monthly release of approximately 30,000 metric tons will alleviate high rice prices and prepare NFA warehouses for the upcoming palay procurement season,” Lacson explained.

The NFA also plans to procure palay at P23 per kilo during the rice harvest season, which begins in mid-February. 

This procurement effort aims to increase supply and comply with the amended Rice Tariffication Law, which mandates a 15-day rice buffer stock (555,000 metric tons) to meet national consumption needs. 

Lacson noted that adequate buffer stocks will be maintained to address potential disasters or emergencies.

Earlier, Tiu Laurel told reporters that the target date for implementing a food security emergency for rice is Feb. 1, with guidelines to be released before the end of the month. 

The agency initially expected to declare the emergency Wednesday last week, but it has been delayed because the NPCC’s approved resolution is still circulating within the DA. 

“The principle is technically approved; it’s just the fine print now,” Tiu Laurel said.

The NPCC, led by Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque, recently issued a resolution urging the DA to declare a food security emergency as rice prices remain high. 

This would allow the NFA to release buffer stock rice to stabilize local prices. The NFA currently holds 300,000 metric tons of rice in buffer stocks. 

Tiu Laurel, also the chairperson of the NFA Council, said their intention is to “flush out” the stocks within six months, prioritizing release in areas near warehouses to minimize freight costs.