MANILA — On Monday (February 3, 2025), Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. declared a Food Security Emergency due to the “extraordinary” rise in rice prices.
This declaration, outlined in Department Circular No. 03, will remain in effect until lifted, with reviews every four months.
Despite global rice prices dropping and a reduction in rice tariff rates from 35% to 15% in July, local rice prices have stayed high.
The Department of Agriculture’s move follows a recommendation from the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC), which reported rice inflation at 17.9% in September 2023—well above the government’s 4% target for food inflation.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) revealed that the price of regular and well-milled rice increased by 19% and 20%, respectively, in December 2023, compared to pre-July 2023 levels.
The declaration, authorized under the Rice Tariffication Law, comes in response to supply shortages and the ongoing price surge.
Consumer groups and market experts are calling for more transparency and government intervention to address the root causes of the price spikes.
Many believe that the combination of supply chain disruptions and insufficient local production has led to the continued rise in rice prices, urging the government to implement more long-term solutions, such as boosting local rice production and improving distribution efficiency.
In the meantime, the Department of Agriculture is expected to monitor the situation closely and implement further strategies to ease the pressure on consumers, including the potential importation of rice to fill the supply gaps.
With food security at risk, authorities are focused on balancing the needs of the local agricultural sector while addressing the challenges posed by rising prices.
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