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Thursday, January 30, 2025
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Thursday, January 30, 2025

DA backs food security emergency declaration

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Agri chief says move to bring down further rice prices

Agriculture Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. is pushing for a “food security emergency” declaration before the end of the month to further lower prices of rice.

This as the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) approved a resolution urging the DA to declare a “food security emergency for rice” as prices of the grain remained high despite declining global rice costs and tariff reductions ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

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“Once it comes to my table, the chances are we will declare (the emergency) so that we can release the stocks of NFA (National Food Authority),” Tiu Laurel said in an interview on Thursday.

He said the declaration of a food security emergency will enable the NFA to sell rice stocks to local government units and other government agencies at a lower price of P36 per kilo by February, free up space in NFA warehouses, and help local farmers through palay procurement for the upcoming harvest season.

“The declaration will likely be by the end of January. We target to offer NFA stocks to LGUs and other government agencies in February,” he said in a separate interview yesterday at the sidelines of a council meeting with Metro Manila mayors and the MMDA.

He said the NPCC resolution was already “approved in principle.”

(From left) Metro Manila Council head and San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora, MMDA Chair Romando Artes and Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. discuss the expansion of ‘Kadiwa Ng Pangulo’ kiosks and stores in all public and private markets in the National Capital Region on Thursday, January 16, 2025. Manny Palmero

Trade Secretary Cristina Roque underscored the urgency of the emergency declaratiin as it would ensure proper enforcement of reasonable rice prices against profiteers.

To date, the NFA has almost 300,000 metric tons of rice stocks, which can be sold to LGUs and other government agencies.

“With the harvest season approaching, we need to start buying rice from farmers at fair prices. But without sufficient storage space, this becomes a technical problem for us,” Tiu Laurel said.

He also said the price ceiling and the suggested retail price for NFA rice will be set at P35 per kilo starting in March.

“In March, we will reduce the price to P33 per kilo in Metro Manila and other major cities across the country,” he said.

The DA chief also announced a price reduction today (Friday) for the 25 percent broken rice variety sold under the Department of Agriculture’s Rice-for-All program (RFA25).

“This price reduction will take effect on Friday, just ahead of the implementation of the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) of P58 per kilo for 5 percent broken imported rice that will begin on Monday, January 20, 2025,” he said.

A House leader on Wednesday criticized the DA for setting the MSRP for 5 percent broken imported rice at P58 per kilo, calling the figure “unrealistic” and “a disservice to consumers.”

Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin expressed her frustration during the hearing of the Quinta Comm, also known as the Murang Pagkain Supercommittee.

Garin accused the DA of failing to address key issues in the rice supply chain that have driven up prices.

Panel chairman Albay Rep. Joey Salceda said the P58 per kilo MSRP was “too high.”

Initially, the new pricing scheme will be implemented in Metro Manila markets, with plans to expand the program to other key cities nationwide.

The MSRP will be reviewed monthly to reflect changes in global market prices and tariff rates.

For his part, Sultan Kudarat Rep. Horacio Suansing Jr. flagged significant discrepancies in rice importation records involving Davao-based businessman Stewart Santiago and his companies, Nance II AgriTraders and Davao Solar Best Corporation.

Suansing called on the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) to investigate the matter.

“Per BOC records, Nance II and Davao Solar Best imported a total volume of 348,011 metric tons. But the problem, Mr. Chair, as per BPI data, they were only issued SPSICs for 48,852 metric tons. There is a discrepancy of 299,159 metric tons. There’s discrepancy,” Suansing said.

Suansing noted that Nance II AgriTraders and Davao Solar Best collectively control about 10 percent of the country’s rice imports.

Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “DA eyes food security emergency declaration amid high rice prices”

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