Lawmakers to price council: Release food security emergency resolution in two days

Metro Manila, Philippines - Lawmakers have requested government officials to release the signed “food security emergency” resolution within two days to address “extraordinary” rice prices.

But the Department of Agriculture (DA) is firm that it would review first the resolution before issuing a declaration.

The request was made during a joint hearing of five committees in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, Jan. 28.

“Kailangan niyo nang i-declare na meron tayong emergency because clearly merong [You have to declare an emergency already because clearly there are] extraordinary price levels as a result of the non-translation of the tariff reduction on the current price levels,” Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo told agencies.

Quimbo was referring to the tariff cut from 35% to 15% on imported rice in July, which was supposed to significantly lower prices.

Quimbo and Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda, the committee chairperson, both asked what agencies in the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC), an inter-agency body tasked to stabilize prices, have yet to sign the document.

Trade Assistant Secretary Agaton Uvero did not directly answer but said there has been a consensus for the declaration. The Department of Trade and Industry chairs the NPCC, with 11 more members coming from the Cabinet and sector representatives.

“It’s more of the wording,” Uvero told the five panels, explaining it was just “bureaucracy” as staff would review the document first before Cabinet secretaries affix their signature.

He said the wording of the formula determining an “extraordinary” increase in prices has been finalized on Monday. Such a condition is needed before the NPCC urges the Department of Agriculture to declare a food security emergency, based on the amended Rice Tariffication Law.

Quimbo asked if the NPCC could come out with the signed resolution in two days, to which Uvero replied: “Kaya naman [It’s doable].”

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. was the first to announce that the NPCC has “approved in principle” the resolution urging for the rice emergency on Jan. 16. 

After the declaration, the DA will be empowered to release rice buffer stocks of the National Food Authority (NFA) to government agencies, local government units, and Kadiwa stores.

The DA is keen to free up warehouses of the almost 300,000 metric tons of stocks, or almost six million bags, to give storage space for the incoming harvest.

In an interview with reporters, Agriculture spokesperson Arnel de Mesa said the DA cannot set a date for the official declaration. The agency previously assumed it could release NFA stocks by Feb. 1.

“Assuming mari-receive namin [we will receive the resolution] in two working days, plus two working days for due diligence on the part of the department, the following day there will be (a declaration),” De Mesa said.