DA seeks Comelec exemption for NFA rice sale to LGUs

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is requesting the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to exempt the sale of National Food Authority (NFA) rice to local government units (LGUs) from the election ban.

This initiative aims to make affordable rice available to citizens during a declared food security emergency for rice.

DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. confirmed that they have officially informed the Comelec about this program and are seeking exemptions for applying LGUs.

Former agriculture secretary Leonardo Montemayor cited Article 261 Paragraph V of the Omnibus Election Code, stating that LGUs cannot release or spend public money for any purpose during the election ban without Comelec exemption.

The NFA has started releasing rice stocks under the food security emergency after measures to pull down rice prices have failed, allocating at least 625,600 bags to LGUs.