DA pushes food security emergency for rice amid price drops

The Department of Agriculture (DA) insists on declaring a Food Security Emergency for rice despite a downtrend in global and local prices to manage the National Food Authority's (NFA) buffer stock.

Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa stated that the emergency declaration is necessary to release NFA stocks, as some vendors are still selling rice at high prices.

Once declared, the emergency will allow the NFA to sell rice stocks to Metro Manila local government units for P36 per kilo, enabling them to sell it in wet markets at P38 per kilo.

This move aims to bring down rice prices, which currently range from P40.00 to P59.77 per kilogram in Metro Manila.

The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) supports the DA's plan, believing it will benefit consumers and farmers by allowing the NFA to purchase buffer stocks.

However, Agri Representative Wilbert Lee cautioned that this is a temporary solution and does not address the root causes of high rice prices, advocating instead for the enactment of the 'Cheaper Rice Act'.

The 'Cheaper Rice Act' proposes a price subsidy program to increase farmers' income and encourage higher production.