Marcos on Declaring Food Security Emergency: “We Have to Force Prices Down”

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. stated that the proposed declaration of a food security emergency is necessary to stabilize the price of rice, which remains high despite lower production costs.

Speaking on Friday, Marcos explained that the supply and demand curve is not functioning properly, as retail rice prices remain elevated even after efforts to reduce input costs.

“We have to force that price down and ensure the market works properly,” Marcos said during a report on 24 Oras.

Food Security Emergency Proposal

The National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) has approved a resolution urging the Department of Agriculture (DA) to declare a food security emergency for rice. The proposed declaration would:

• Allow the National Food Authority (NFA) to release buffer stocks of rice to stabilize prices.
• Ensure that released stocks are replaced with locally produced rice to support Filipino farmers.

NFA Stock Levels

According to NFA Administrator Larry Lacson, the agency has:

• 700,000 bags of rice currently stocked.
• Additional unmilled rice stocks that, when milled, would bring the total to 5.7 million bags.

Lacson clarified that the NFA plans to release stocks gradually to maintain reserves for emergencies.

Current Measures

The DA continues to implement programs to provide affordable rice, such as the “Rice for All” initiative, which sells rice at ₱38 per kilo. However, this rice includes broken grains, making it a more cost-effective option.

Next Steps

The declaration of a food security emergency could happen as early as next week once the DA receives the NPCC’s recommendation. This move underscores the government’s commitment to stabilizing rice prices and addressing the food supply challenges in the Philippines.