The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced Wednesday plans to distribute National Food Authority (NFA) rice as part of the government’s food security emergency effort.

In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the DA aims to secure approval from the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) within the week to declare a national food security emergency, which would authorize the release of rice stocks to government agencies and local government units.

This move comes as rice prices remain high in some areas, despite global price reductions and the reduction of rice tariffs last year from 35 percent to 15 percent.

A total of 150,000 metric tons (MT), equivalent to about 3 million 50-kilo bags of rice, will be released over six months, prioritizing areas with elevated rice prices.

According to NFA Administrator Larry Lacson, approximately 30,000 MT will be released monthly, which will also help prepare rice warehouses for the upcoming palay procurement season, expected to begin in mid-February. During this time, the rice agency is expected to buy palay at P23 per kilo.

Despite the buffer rice stock release, Lacson assured that “sufficient” buffer stocks will be maintained to address possible emergencies.

Under the Rice Tariffication Law, the NFA is mandated to maintain a 15-day rice buffer stock, equivalent to 555,000 MT, to meet national consumption needs.