MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) intends to lift the food security emergency on rice “as soon as possible,” according to its official.
“So, pag nakita natin na we are already meeting the objectives, itong declaration, the secretary may lift it already. So since this is an emergency, we want to resolve it as soon as possible,” Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said in a press briefing on Tuesday.
(When we see that we are already meeting the objectives of this declaration, the agriculture secretary may lift it already. Since this is an emergency, we want to resolve it as soon as possible.)
“Such [a] condition is considered to remain in place while rice prices have not returned close to the level prior… not exactly,” said de Mesa, also the DA’s spokesperson.
According to de Mesa, regular milled rice was available in the markets for P41 per kilogram (kg), while well-milled rice was priced at P45 per kg in July 2023.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. declared a food security emergency on Monday to address the “extraordinary” rise in retail prices of rice. It is subject to a monthly or bi-monthly review.
The food security emergency declaration, as stated in Department Circular No. 3 issued by the agency, will remain in effect “until lifted or withdrawn” by the agriculture secretary.
De Mesa clarified that the emergency declaration was prompted by the “extraordinary” rise in rice retail prices, rather than a supply shortage.
With the declaration in place, the National Food Authority’s (NFA) rice stocks will be sold to local government units, government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), and other government agencies for P33 per kg and eventually to consumers for P35 per kg.
NFA Acting Department Manager Roy Untiveros said the grains agency is waiting for the response of LGUs within the National Capital Region and Cavite to buy and sell NFA rice.