The National Security Council (NSC) has expressed its support for the potential declaration of a food security emergency for rice, a move aimed at reducing the rising prices of the staple food in Philippine markets.
National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, in a statement on Tuesday, underscored that addressing food security is a critical component of the administration’s National Security Agenda. This initiative is further highlighted in the 2023 National Security Policy (NSP), which positions food security as a priority national interest.
Año referenced the 2024 National Security Strategy (NSS), which outlines the government’s responsibility to ensure the availability, accessibility, affordability, and safety of food for the nation. He reiterated the NSC’s support for the Department of Agriculture (DA) in its efforts to alleviate the high prices of rice.
“The declaration of a food security emergency is within the purview of the Department of Agriculture, especially when there is an extraordinary increase in the price of rice or a shortage in supply, as stipulated by Republic Act 12708,” Año explained.
Despite the country having a sufficient rice supply, Año highlighted concerns over the continued high prices, noting that the costs remain inflated even as global rice prices fall and tariffs are reduced under presidential directives.
“Rice is the country’s staple food, and inflated prices directly affect the daily lives of Filipinos. The Department of Agriculture is fully empowered to regulate prices to safeguard the public’s welfare,” he added.
Año further called on market participants to cooperate with the government’s efforts, stressing the need to avoid exploiting the situation for profit or political gain. “Any actions aimed at profiteering or politicizing this issue will only harm the Filipino people. This is a time for national unity, not for advancing personal interests,” he said.
On Monday, the Department of Agriculture indicated that the formal declaration of a food security emergency could take place on January 22, pending the approval of the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC). This resolution, which recommends the emergency declaration, comes in response to persistent high rice prices in the country.
