Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. expressed support for a proposed rice emergency declaration, which would address persistently high rice prices.
He pointed out that such a declaration would empower the National Food Authority (NFA) to release its buffer stock at affordable prices.
“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,” Tiu Laurel said on Thursday.
The DA is also intensifying efforts to combat rice profiteering by introducing competition through the Rice-for-All program.
The agriculture secretary said his agency aims to make affordable rice more accessible to Filipino consumers by expanding the program’s reach and in doing so, removing profiteers’ free rein on the market.
“If we really want to tackle those exploiting certain rice brands, this is the best way to hit them where it hurts—their pockets,” Tiu Laurel emphasized.
The Rice-for-All program, which offers rice at P40 per kilo through KADIWA ng Pangulo kiosks, is expanding to include more public markets and grocery outlets, he added.
Ten additional locations have been added this week, bringing them to 24 in total.
WalterMart branches in Metro Manila will also join the 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.
The DA plans to further expand the Rice-for-All program to other regions in the country by early 2025.
Last week, Tiu Laurel called on lawmakers to restore the powers of the NFA to intervene in the rice market and stabilize prices.
During a House Quinta Committee hearing, he explained that re-empowering the NFA to sell rice directly to the public would strengthen the government’s ability to influence rice prices and protect consumers.
He lamented that the NFA’s role has been significantly curtailed since the passage of the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) in 2019.
The law removed its authority to import rice and sell it directly to the public, restricting the agency to procuring palay from local farmers and solely for buffer stocking.
“I believe if we want to control the situation, it is better to restore all the powers of the NFA. It just has to be managed by honest people. This will provide a long-term solution to the [surging rice prices] problem,” he told the consolidated panel tasked to address food issues.
