DA awaits NPCC resolution for rice security emergency declaration

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is still awaiting an official copy of the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) resolution recommending a food security emergency declaration for rice.

DA Spokesman Arnel de Mesa stated that the resolution is still circulating among member agencies for approval, and the DA cannot proceed without it.

Although the DA had initially targeted a Wednesday declaration, the delay stems from the NPCC's internal processes.

De Mesa emphasized the continued need to declare the emergency to release nearly 300,000 metric tons of rice stocks procured from local farmers by the National Food Authority (NFA).

The amended Rice Tariffication Law empowers the agriculture secretary to declare a food security emergency, allowing the DA to sell NFA rice stocks at PHP36 per kilogram to government agencies.

This measure also aims to free up NFA warehouse space and facilitate palay procurement for the upcoming harvest season.