DA exec sees food emergency declared on January 22

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture is set to declare a food security emergency on Jan. 22, to address persistently high rice prices.

“The expectation is that by Monday, the DA will receive a copy of the resolution approving the recommendation to declare a food security emergency,” DA Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Arnel de Mesa said during a news forum yesterday.

De Mesa further stated that the resolution is expected to be reviewed from Monday to Tuesday, with the expectation that by Wednesday, the secretary will take action, most likely leading to the declaration of a food security emergency.

On Thursday, the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) approved a resolution calling the DA to declare the emergency amid persistently high prices, despite declining global rice costs and presidentially mandated tariff cuts.

Trade and Industry Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque, chair of the NPCC, stated that the declaration would allow the National Food Authority to release 300,000 metric tons of rice from buffer stocks to stabilize prices while replenishing these reserves with locally produced rice to support Filipino farmers.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the declaration is “justified” due to supporting data, and under Republic Act 12078, he has the authority to act in such crises.

De Mesa explained that the proposed food security emergency declaration is a response to the extraordinary increase in rice prices. He argued that despite reducing the tariff on imported rice, the cost of the staple has not decreased significantly.

The DA aims to expand its “Rice-for-All” program by February or March. De Mesa clarified that the initiative, which sells rice mixed with broken grains at P38 per kilo, will initially be launched in metro areas outside Metro Manila, such as Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Iloilo.

Starting tomorrow, the DA will implement a maximum suggested retail price (SRP) system for rice regardless of class.

For five percent broken rice, the SRP will be set at P58 per kilo, with periodic reviews every two weeks. Prices are expected to decrease to P55 within two weeks and further down to P50-P52 over time.

De Mesa assured the public that 25 percent broken rice prices will follow a similar downward trend, reaching the P40-plus range.