Food security emergency may be declared in PH

National

AGRICULTURE Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said there is enough basis to declare a food security emergency, noting that rice prices remain high even with the tariff cut on imported rice.

Laurel’s statement was in contrast to Agriculture Assistant Secretary and spokesman Arnel de Mesa’s pronouncement last week.

De Mesa had said that there’s no need to declare a food security emergency in the country since there’s sufficient rice supply, and the price of rice is expected to drop in the future as prices in the international market are also decreasing.

However, according to Laurel, they “have solid data that show that it is really justified” to declare a food security emergency.

A food security emergency is declared once there’s no sufficient supply of rice and there’s an extraordinary price hike of rice.

Asked what caused the prices of rice to remain high despite the tariff cut, Laurel said there could be “some profiteering.”

The DA is already coordinating with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) since the agency has the enforcement powers, said Laurel.

Laurel said he is waiting for the National Price Coordinating Council to formally submit its recommendation for the declaration of a food security emergency before he seeks comments from President Bongbong Marcos.

Once the said food security emergency is declared, the National Food Authority will release its buffer and untouched stocks for two months to the market.

Laurel said once a declaration is made, the retail price of rice is suggested at P58 per kilo maximum. This price will be subject to review for two weeks, a PhilStar report stated.

On her part, Trade Secretary Maria Cristina Roque said they will work with the DA in enforcing the price of rice set by the DA.

In Metro Manila markets alone, the imported special rice is being sold at P65 per kilo while the imported will -milled rice is retailed at P54 per kilo and the imported regular milled rice is at P48 per kilo.

Under a food security emergency, NFA will be able to sell its rice stocks to the mayors of Metro Manila as local government units are allowed to resell NFA rice to prevent these rice from rotting in the warehouses.

The DA also intends to ask the Commission on Elections to allow LGUs to sell NFA rice and not be covered by the election ban.(LAO)