By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
On Thursday (Dec. 19), Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. affirmed that the proposal by congressmen to declare a “rice emergency” is a positive step toward addressing the persistently high prices of rice despite recent government efforts to stabilize the market.
Under Republic Act No. 12078, which amended the Rice Tariffication Law, the Agriculture Secretary is granted the authority to declare a food security emergency in the event of a supply shortage or extraordinary price fluctuations.
This can be done upon recommendation of the National Price Coordination Council. Upon declaration of such an emergency, the National Food Authority (NFA) may sell its buffer stock to the public at appropriate prices to mitigate the crisis.
In a “Murang Pagkain” Super Committee hearing at the House of Representatives, NFA administrator Larry Lacson revealed that the agency’s buffer stock currently stands at approximately 5.5 million 50-kilogram bags.
“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,” Sec. Tiu Laurel told reporters after visiting rice stalls in Guadalupe, Makati City.
“If we really want to tackle those exploiting certain rice brands, this is the best way to hit them where it hurts—their pockets,” he added, stressing that targeting rice profiteers could be a key strategy in bringing down prices.
Meanwhile, DA is continuing to expand its Rice-for-All program, which aims to make affordable rice available to more consumers by increasing the presence of KADIWA ng Pangulo kiosks in additional public markets and grocery outlets, which sells rice at P40 per kilo.
DA Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra, who oversees the KADIWA program, reported that 10 more locations have been added to the initiative this week, bringing the total to 24. She also announced that WalterMart branches in Metro Manila will join the Rice-for-All 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; Muñoz Market in Quezon City; Marikina Public Market; Navotas Agora Market; and New Marulas Public Market in Valenzuela.
-iro