Agriculture Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. is set to declare a “food security emergency” before the end of January to address the spiking retail prices of rice.
This came after the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) approved a resolution urging the DA to declare a “food security emergency for rice” as prices remain high despite declining global rice costs and tariff reductions ordered by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
“Once it comes to my table, the chances are we will declare, para ma-release namin iyong (so that we can release the) stocks of NFA (National Food Authority),” Tiu Laurel said in an ambush interview on Thursday.
He said the declaration of a food security emergency will enable the NFA to sell rice stocks to local government units (LGUs) and other government agencies at a lower price, free up space in NFA warehouses, and help local farmers through palay procurement for the upcoming harvest season.
“End of January siguro (declaration), ang target namin i-offer (NFA stocks) sa (The declaration will probably be by end of January, and we target to offer NFA stocks to the) LGUs and other government agencies in February,” Tiu Laurel said in a separate interview at the sidelines of a council meeting with Metro Manila mayors, citing that the resolution was already “approved in principle.”
Besides the LGUs, NFA rice may also be sold to the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and other government agencies and government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCC).
For her part, DTI Secretary Cristina Roque underscored the urgency of the said move as it ensures proper enforcement of reasonable rice prices against those who may be taking advantage.
“We really need to set that, all the palengkes (markets) must follow the directive of the DA na dapat ibaba iyong presyo ng bigas of imported rice para sa mga consumers natin (the prices of imported rice must be dropped for our consumers). And at the same time, we also protect the wholesaler, the trader, and also the retailer. Para (So that) at least win-win for both,” she said in a separate ambush interview.
“We really do monitoring and enforcement for necessities and basic food items. Now, kasama rin yung bigas (rice is also included). We really actually monitor it. And if ever they don’t follow the directive of the DA, then we’ll have to enforce.”
To date, the NFA has almost 300,000 metric tons of rice stocks, which can be sold to LGUs and other government agencies.
Under the Rice Tariffication Law, the NFA’s function has been limited to palay procurement from local farmers to secure the national rice buffer stock in times of calamities.
Amended provisions, however, have increased the target procurement volume of national rice buffer stocks to 15 days from the previous nine days.
The buffer stock is the optimal level of rice inventory that shall be maintained at any given time to be used for emergencies and to sustain the government’s disaster relief programs during calamities. (PNA)
