MANILA (UPDATE) — Lawmakers on Tuesday criticized government agencies in charge of declaring a food security emergency for "having no sense of urgency."

This was after the Department of Agriculture said that it needed 2 working days to review the resolution seeking the declaration of food security emergency once the agency formally receives it.

The National Price Coordinating Council, chaired by the Department of Trade and Industry Secretary, will release the resolution upon consultation with various stakeholders and government agencies including the National Economic and Development Authority. The DTI said the resolution could be released this week.

As rice prices stay high ‘Food Security Emergency’ to be declared to bring down prices

"According to the DTI, just this morning, in two working days possibly mailalabas na nila ang resolution. Ibig sabihin yung NPCC Secretariat na signed na ng member agencies," Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa told reporters.

"Nabanggit ni (DA) Secretary, once we receive it, two working days for due diligence sa review. After nun — parang tatlong araw in total," he added.

Marcos supports declaring food security emergency to bring down rice prices

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier said the measure is seen to address the elevated prices of rice.

Once declared, Sec. Francisco Tiu Laurel earlier said it would prompt the release of about 300,000 metric tons of buffer stock from the National Food Authority to the market. It will also free up warehouses in time for the harvest season.

'Food security emergency' still needed despite slide in rice prices: Agri dept

Agricultural group questions need for food security emergency

Members of the House Quinta “Murang Pagkain” Committee meanwhile called out officials for not having a draft of a food security emergency declaration more than a week after Marcos said he favored such an announcement.

“The declaration of recommendation to declare a food security emergency umiikot na po ‘yung papel,” Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Christopher Morales said.

Asked what is still missing, Morales said, “We’re still waiting for the recommendation from the NPCC (National Price Coordinating Council) for the declaration."

Oriental Mindoro Rep. Arnan Panaligan said the concerned officials seemed to “have no sense of urgency.”

“Sabi nga ni Cong. Stella [Quimbo] emergency, papaikutin pa ang papel. ‘Di ba pag may sunog, emergency, magpapa-alam pa ba ‘yung mga bumbero sa kanyang mga superior bago siya makaalis sa sitwasyon,” Panaligan said.

Quimbo earlier noted that increased rice prices are contributing "higher than usual" to the inflation rate. 

“Naka-limang Quinta hearing na tayo. That was the first question I asked during our first hearing. Kailangan n’yo nang i-declare na mayroon tayong emergency? Because clearly, mayroong extraordinary price levels as a result of the non-translation of the tariff reductions on the current price levels and this was many weeks ago,” she stated.

High rice prices have been blamed for pushing inflation up in 2023. While rice prices  gradually went down in 2024 following the reduction of tariffs on imported rice, prices remained above what government economic managers had promised for the tariff cuts.

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