DA to declare rice food security emergency next week

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is expected to declare a food security emergency for rice by Tuesday next week, following the National Price Coordinating Council's resolution.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., upon receiving the official copy of the NPCC resolution while in the US, confirmed that the agency will likely declare the emergency soon after reviewing it thoroughly.

Under this initiative, the DA aims to release 300,000 metric tons of rice to the market within six months, which is expected to soften the market and potentially lower retail prices.

The NFA buffer stocks will be sold to government agencies and local government units at P36 per kilogram and consumers at P38 per kg once the emergency is declared.

This move reflects the administration's whole-of-government approach to address food security and support vulnerable populations, as well as decongest warehouses in preparation for the February harvest.