DA declares food security emergency amid high rice prices

The Department of Agriculture (DA) declared a food security emergency on February 19, 2025, to stabilize surging rice prices.

The National Food Authority (NFA) has begun releasing rice stocks to local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila, with the initial release of 25,000 metric tons per month, potentially increasing if needed.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. stated that about 150,000 metric tons of rice have been allocated to Metro Manila mayors, with 67 LGUs signifying their intent to participate.

Mayors are authorized to procure NFA rice at P33 per kilo and resell them to their constituents at P35 per kilo.

The DA will oversee the selling of rice through the Food Terminal, Inc. (FTI), as the NFA is barred from direct public sales.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. allocated P9 billion for NFA's palay procurement this year, supplemented by remaining funds from last year, to support local farmers.

The DA attributes the rise in rice prices to India's non-basmati rice export ban in August 2023 and reduced harvests from El Niño in early 2024.

Current prices for imported special rice in Metro Manila wet markets average P56 per kilo, with premium rice at P53, well-milled at P45, and regular milled at P42 per kilo.