Escudero Endorses Food Security Emergency to Tackle Rising Rice Prices

Senate President Francis Escudero has thrown his weight behind the Department of Agriculture’s proposal to declare a national food security emergency, highlighting the urgent need to reduce rice prices to combat inflation. In a message to journalists via Viber, Escudero stressed the importance of addressing the significant contribution of rice prices to the country’s inflation rate. The proposed emergency declaration would empower the National Food Authority to distribute approximately 300,000 metric tons of rice, or six million bags, at prices lower than the market rate through local government units and Kadiwa stores. However, the Federation of Free Farmers has expressed reservations about the plan, cautioning that it might adversely affect the income of local rice farmers. In response, Escudero reassured that the Department of Agriculture would be ready to adjust the strategy if it proves detrimental to farmers. This move by the government comes at a time when inflation is on the rise and there are growing concerns about the affordability of food for the Filipino public.