Following a resolution released by the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC), the Department of Agriculture declared a food security emergency for rice on Monday.

Agriculture Secretary Francis Tiu Laurel Jr. propped the food emergency measure by issuing DA Circular 3, as the price of rice per kilo reached P60 in the previous months.

With the declaration, the National Food Authority is mandated to release buffer stocks of rice from all of its warehouses to wet markets priced at P38 per kilo for the consuming public.

The declaration of a state of food security emergency is supported under the Agricultural Tariffication Act or Republic Act 12708, which took effect on 9 December 2024, addressing the scarcity or “extraordinary cases,” particularly the spiking prices of the staple.

Meanwhile, the NFA maintained that they are ready to disburse its buffer stocks of rice.

“Our warehouses in NFA are full. To prevent the spoilage of our rice in warehouses, we need to sell it so we can also buy fresh palay from our farmers,” NFA Administrator Larry Lacson said in a statement.

The cheaper NFA rice will be made available in select Kadiwa ng Pangulo sites, to local government units, other government agencies, and government-owned and controlled corporations as the food emergency takes effect.

Despite the assurance, Lacson said they are continuously reviewing their standard operating procedures to ensure the efficient selling and buying of rice.

To recall, the NFA, in 2024, bought 95 percent of its 300,000 metric tons (MT) target procurement, or the equivalent of 285,000 MT of palay from local farmers under the higher pricing scheme.

The DA earlier said the NFA aims to discharge at least 150,000 MT or around 3 million 50-kg bags of NFA rice nationwide, particularly in areas with high-volume stocks.

Trade Secretary Cristina Roque, who chairs the NPCC, earlier backed the pronouncement of a food security emergency “to help protect consumer welfare while supporting local farmers.”

SoKor Rice Donation

A ceremonial distribution of 100,000 bags of rice donated by South Korea to those affected by tropical storm “Kristine” across Regions I-V took place on Monday, graced by Secretary Tiu Laurel Jr.

South Korea has donated 4,000 metric tons of rice to the Philippines under the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve’s Tier 3 program.

“I am privileged to witness the critical roles played by various government agencies and international organizations to ensure the smooth arrival of the 4,000 metric tons, equivalent to 100,000 bags of rice, donated by the Government of Korea,” Laurel said.

He added that South Korea’s food donation will support the Philippines’ recovery and rehabilitation efforts following the storm.

Among the hardest-hit areas was the town of Laurel in Batangas, where many families remain displaced and in need of permanent shelter.

Laurel acknowledged the significance of the donation amid rising food prices, stating that it provides timely assistance to the government’s aid efforts for calamity-affected areas.

“Given the high food prices, this gift of rice from the government of Korea is most certainly welcome and provides timely assistance to the Philippine government in its efforts to aid calamity-affected provinces,” he said.

South Korea’s Ambassador Lee Sang-Wa, representing MAFRA, also participated in the ceremonial turnover of the rice donation, underscoring ongoing cooperation between the two countries in disaster response and food security.