Food security emergency for rice was declared by the Department of Agriculture on February 3, 2025.  

It is an objective of the declaration to provide solutions to the prevalent rise in rice prices.

Following the declaration, the National Food Authority (NFA) can now sell rice stocks to the local government units (LGUs).

According to NFA 6, several LGUs have manifested interest to purchase NFA rice, but the agency does not have the data yet, as of posting time.

The agency disclosed that there is ample rice buffer stocks in Western Visayas.

“Seventeen days ho ang ating buffer stock ngayon. Palay ho, we have around 922,000 bags and 37,000 naman in rice form na,” NFA Regional Manager Jasmin Lintag said.

It is another objective of the declaration to have the rice stocks at the NFA warehouse reduced, and that more local farmers will be able to sell their “palay” (rice) to NFA.

Rice traders or retailers have expressed their worry on effects to their business once sale of NFA rice goes full swing.

“Affected talaga dahil sa laki ng volume ng mga taong bibili ng bigas, syempre affected talaga kami. Ilagay mo na lang mag-30 percent or 20 percent of LGU’s total population,” Mary Jean Guaro, a rice trader, said.

On the other hand, consumers are bent on checking first the quality of NFA rice, and not just because it is offered at a low price.

“Tingnan natin kasi hindi pa naman kami nakakabili,” Honey Pinuela, a consumer, said.