MANILA. The Department of Agriculture (DA) has started distributing rice stocks from the National Food Authority (NFA) to local government units (LGUs) as part of the government’s response to the declared food security emergency. This move comes weeks after the declaration, which authorized the NFA to open its warehouses and release stocks to help stabilize retail rice prices.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. officially led the ceremonial handover of rice supplies to San Juan City Mayor Francisco Javier Zamora, who also serves as the president of the Metro Manila Council, marking the commencement of the rice distribution efforts.
Under DA Circular No. 04, series of 2025, Metro Manila has been allocated 150,000 bags of NFA rice per month. Nationwide, a total of 625,600 bags have been set aside for distribution, broken down as follows:
- Region IV: 47,000 bags
- Region V: 38,600 bags
- Region VI: 58,000 bags
- Region VII: 50,000 bags
- Region VIII: 18,000 bags
- Region IX: 21,000 bags
- Region X: 20,000 bags
- Region XI: 19,000 bags
- Region XII: 36,000 bags
- National Capital Region (including Cavite and Rizal): 293,000 bags
- BARMM: 5,000 bags
- CARAGA: 20,000 bags
“This is just the beginning. We expect more local government units to participate in this effort, which will benefit not only Filipino consumers but also rice farmers,” said Tiu Laurel, who also chairs the NFA Council.
The DA is intensifying its efforts to clear space in NFA warehouses to make room for additional rice purchases from local farmers. With the P9 billion allocated by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for NFA’s rice procurement this year, alongside the remaining funds from last year’s record purchases, the agency aims to buy even more palay (unhusked rice) from Filipino farmers.
In 2024, the NFA Council increased its palay procurement price range to P23 to P30 per kilo for clean and dry rice and P17 per kilo for wet palay, compared to the previous P16 to P23 per kilo range.
The decision to declare a food security emergency on February 3 was based on the recommendation of the National Price Coordinating Council to counter the rising rice prices. The surge in prices was largely attributed to India’s ban on the export of non-basmati rice in August 2023 and increased global demand due to concerns over El Niño-related low harvests in early 2024.
Under the emergency declaration, NFA rice stocks will be sold to the public through Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) at P35 per kilo, making it one of the most affordable options available as the government seeks to restore rice prices to pre-mid-2023 levels.
Despite President Marcos’ move to reduce rice tariffs from 35% to 15% in July, and India lifting its export ban in September, imported rice prices have yet to return to their pre-July 2023 levels, according to the DA.
The DA continues to work closely with the NFA and LGUs to ensure timely distribution and accessibility of rice stocks to help mitigate the impact of rising prices on Filipino households.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
