Philippine Agriculture Secretary Awaits Formal Recommendation to Declare Food Security Emergency

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. announced on Friday that he has not yet received the official recommendation from the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) to declare a food security emergency. This declaration is aimed at tackling the escalating retail prices of rice. Speaking at a press conference in Pasay City, Tiu-Laurel expressed his anticipation of receiving the document next week. He noted that the NPCC had completed the draft as early as Tuesday, but the document’s circulation for signatures caused a delay. Tiu-Laurel is hopeful that he will have the signed recommendation in hand by next week, which would pave the way for declaring a rice emergency on January 22, as initially planned on January 16. This declaration would allow the Department of Agriculture (DA) to distribute rice stocks from the National Food Authority (NFA) to local government units and other government agencies at reduced prices. Additionally, it would help clear space in NFA warehouses and support local farmers by procuring unhusked rice for the upcoming harvest season. Despite the delay in receiving the final recommendation, Tiu-Laurel confirmed that the NFA has a plan ready for the distribution of rice once the emergency is declared. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has also endorsed the planned declaration, emphasizing its necessity due to market inefficiencies despite government efforts to control rice prices.