DA: Up to LGUs to Avail NFA Rice Once Food Security Emergency Is Declared

The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced Friday that while the National Food Authority (NFA) is expected to release rice from its buffer stock next week following the declaration of a food security emergency, the distribution to consumers will depend on the actions of local government units (LGUs).

“You cannot really say na makaka-avail agad. Depende kung sinong LGU ang may intent na bumili o talagang bibili,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
(You cannot really say who can immediately avail of the NFA rice. It depends on which LGUs have the intent to buy or will actually purchase the stocks.)

Tiu Laurel explained that while some LGUs have already purchased rice stocks, others may face challenges due to insufficient funds.

Implications of Declaring a Food Security Emergency
The DA has received a resolution from the National Price Coordinating Council recommending the declaration of a food security emergency on rice. Once approved, this will allow the NFA to release its rice buffer stock stored nationwide and begin purchasing rice from farmers for the upcoming harvest season.

“By Tuesday, malamang we will be declaring the rice emergency,” Tiu Laurel said.
(By Tuesday, we will likely declare the rice emergency.)

He added that this move would reduce stock in warehouses and benefit farmers, as the NFA will have more storage capacity to buy their produce.

Pricing and Distribution Strategy
Tiu Laurel revealed that the plan is to sell the rice to LGUs and other government agencies at ₱36 per kilo, with the expectation that it will be sold to consumers at ₱38 per kilo.

The NFA aims to distribute approximately 150,000 metric tons (MT) of rice from its buffer stock once the emergency is declared. In total, the agency plans to release 300,000 MT to the market over the next six months.

“Releasing 300,000 tons of rice to the market within six months will ease or soften the market and hopefully bumaba pa ng konti ‘yung presyo ng bigas,” Tiu Laurel said.
(Releasing 300,000 tons of rice to the market within six months will ease the market and hopefully lower rice prices further.)

Addressing High Rice Prices
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently commented that rice prices remain high despite the decrease in production costs.

“And so we have to force that price down and we have to make sure that the market works properly,” Marcos emphasized.

The DA’s swift actions, combined with the NFA’s release of buffer stocks, aim to stabilize rice prices and ensure food security across the country in the coming months.