DA delays food security emergency declaration

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has delayed a decision on whether to declare a food security emergency due to ongoing reviews within the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC), with Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel expecting the formal recommendation next week.

Despite the delay, DA officials believe releasing National Food Authority (NFA) buffer stocks is necessary to address rising rice prices and ensure food security.

The NFA requires an additional PHP9 billion in funds to procure more palay from local farmers to meet a new 15-day buffer stock target, while the current budget covers only nine days.

Once approved, the government will sell 300,000 tons of rice by February as part of efforts to lower prices according to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

President Marcos Jr. backed the planned declaration of food security emergency on January 17, stating it is needed because the market is 'not being allowed to work properly', despite government efforts to lower rice prices.