What is a food security emergency?

Under Republic Act 12078 or the law amending the Agricultural Tariffication Act, the Agriculture Secretary has the power to declare a food security emergency on rice due to a supply shortage or extraordinary increase in prices.

This act shall be upon the recommendation of the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC).

The law provides that the NPCC shall devise a formula to determine the existence of a rice supply shortage or an extraordinary increase in rice prices.

There are three measures that the DA can enforce whenever there is a rice supply shortage or increase in rice prices, according to the law signed in December 2024.

The agency can sell the existing rice buffer stock of the National Food Authority (NFA) in areas where there is rice supply shortage or extraordinary increase in prices.

It can also replenish the used NFA rice buffer stock with locally produced rice from farmers or farmers' cooperatives and associations.

The DA may also import rice when the available supply of locally produced rice is inadequate.

Under the Price Act or Republic Act 7581, the Price Coordinating Council coordinates the productivity, distribution and price stabilization programs, projects and measures of the government and develop comprehensive strategies to effect a general stabilization of prices of basic necessities and prime commodities at affordable levels.

The Council is chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The NPCC recently approved a resolution urging the DA to declare a "food security emergency for rice" as the prices of the commodity remained high.

Agriculture chief Francisco Tiu Laurel said he has yet to discuss the matter with President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., adding that he is still waiting for the NPCC's full resolution. — VDV, GMA Integrated News