Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said Thursday that the proposal by congressmen to declare a “rice emergency” is a positive step toward addressing the persistently high prices of rice despite recent government efforts to stabilize the market.
Republic Act 12078, which amended the Rice Tariffication Law, grants the secretary of agriculture the authority to declare a food security emergency in the event of a supply shortage or extraordinary price fluctuations. This can be done upon recommendation of the National Price Coordination Council.
If such emergency is declared, the National Food Authority (NFA) may sell its buffer stock to the public at appropriate prices to mitigate the crisis.
“If declaring a rice emergency allows us to sell NFA’s nearly 6 million bags of rice at flexible prices to the public, then that’s definitely a good move,” Sec. Tiu Laurel told reporters after visiting rice stalls in Guadalupe, Makati City.
NFA Administrator Larry Lacson revealed during a House of Representatives hearing on the “Murang Pagkain” Super Committee that NFA’s buffer stock currently stands at approximately 5.5 million 50-kilogram bags.
Sec. Tiu Laurel also stressed that targeting rice profiteers could be a key strategy in bringing down prices. “If we really want to tackle those exploiting certain rice brands, this is the best way to hit them where it hurts—their pockets,” he asserted.
Meanwhile, DA is continuing to expand its Rice-for-All program, which aims to make affordable rice available to more consumers. The program now includes additional public markets and grocery outlets selling rice at P40 per kilo through KADIWA ng Pangulo kiosks.
Agriculture Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra, who oversees the KADIWA program, reported that 10 more locations have been added to the initiative this week, bringing the total to 24. She also announced that WalterMart branches in Metro Manila will join the Rice-for-All program next week.
Newly added locations include Langaray Market, Kaunlaran Market, and Phase 9 Bagong Silang Market in Caloocan City; Agora Market in San Juan City; Kalentong Market and Addition Hills Market in Mandaluyong City; Muños Market; Marikina Public Market; Navotas Agora Market; and New Marulas Public Market.
Asec. Guevarra also said that Rice-for-All kiosks will be launched in other regions of the country by early next year, further extending the program’s reach to more Filipino consumers. ###
