Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. has declared a food security emergency on rice following recommendations from the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC).
The declaration, issued through Department Circular No. 03, comes in response to the persistent rise in local rice prices despite decreasing global costs and tariff reductions implemented in July 2024.
“This emergency declaration allows us to release rice buffer stocks held by the National Food Authority (NFA) to stabilize prices and ensure that rice, a staple food for millions of Filipinos, remains accessible to consumers,” Secretary Tiu Laurel said.
The NPCC, led by Trade and Industry Secretary Maria Cristina Roque, noted that while global rice prices have eased and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reduced rice tariffs from 35 percent to 15 percent in July, local retail prices have continued to surge.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that rice inflation reached 17.9 percent in September 2023, significantly higher than the government’s target of 4 percent for food inflation. Prices of regular and well-milled rice increased by 19 percent and 20 percent, respectively, compared to the previous year.
Under Republic Act No. 12078, an amendment to the Rice Tariffication Law, the Agriculture Secretary is empowered to declare a food security emergency in response to extraordinary price increases. This declaration enables the NFA, which is otherwise restricted from selling rice directly to the public, to release buffer stocks to government agencies, local government units, and the KADIWA ng Pangulo program to help stabilize prices.
Despite efforts to liberalize rice imports and reduce tariffs, domestic market prices have remained volatile, causing financial strain on lower-income Filipinos. Currently, the NFA holds an estimated 300,000 metric tons of rice in buffer stocks, with half of that volume expected to be released over the next six months to meet demand during emergencies and disasters. Further releases may be considered based on market conditions, while the NFA is also preparing for palay procurement in the coming weeks.
The food security emergency will remain in effect until significant improvements in rice prices are observed. The government has committed to ongoing monitoring and reassessment to determine when the emergency measures can be lifted.
