DILIMAN, Quezon City — At the latest, theDepartment of Agriculture
The Department of Agriculture aims to secure approval for the declaration of a national food security emergency from the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) in order for it to the National Food Authority (NFA) to government agencies and local government units (LGUs).

In a statement, Agriculture secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. underscored the need for the emergency declaration as rice prices have to be stabilized across the country amidst the prevailing infaltion and fluctuation of the cost of prime commodities triggered by oil price increases and trade sanction by the United States.

The decision for a food security emergency came after persistently high prices of rice in various areas of the country despite global price reductions and President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.'s order to lower rice tariffs from 35 percent to 15 percent last year.

National Food Authority (NFA) administrator Larry Lacson disclosed that they intend to release 150,000 metric tons (MT) or 3 million 50-kilogram bags of rice over six months, setting areas with high rice prices as a priority in the program.

"This monthly release of approximately 30,000 metric tons will alleviate high rice prices and prepare NFA warehouses for the upcoming palay procurement season," Lacson cited even as he assured the public that while the agency releases stocks, sufficient buffer stock would still be kept in case of disasters or emergencies.

Accordingly and in consideration of the upcoming rice harvest season, the NFA is set to procure palay (unmilled rice) at ₱23 per kilogram to fulfill its rice buffer stock requirement of 555,000 MT or 15 days of national consumption as mandated by the amended Rice Tariffication Law (RTL).

Secretary Laurel assured the public that the DA is committed to ensuring that rice is available and at affordable prices across the country.