The National Food Authority (NFA) in Pangasinan is ready to release rice stocks to areas affected by high prices following the Department of Agriculture's (DA) declaration of a national food security emergency on rice.

With the declaration, NFA buffer stocks can now be distributed to help stabilize rice prices.

NFA-Pangasinan said the province is not among the areas under the food security emergency, as it has a surplus of rice.

The list of all areas under food security emergency is yet to be released, as of this writing.

As of February 3, 2025, NFA warehouses in Pangasinan hold 460,866 bags of palay and 26,201 bags of milled rice.

NFA is awaiting further guidelines from the DA before proceeding with rice distribution.

“So ang magiging role talaga ng NFA-Eastern Pangasinan ay mag-provide ng rice requirement for those covered ng declaration, manggagaling sa atin ang milled rice para maibigay ang pangangailangan ng mga areas na covered ng declaration ng food security,” Shoreen Manglinong, Acting Assistant Branch Manager of NFA-Pangasinan, said.

The NFA will sell rice to LGUs, GOCCs, and government agencies at P33 per kilo, while consumers can purchase it for P35 per kilo.

A total of 150,000 metric tons of NFA rice is set for release nationwide over the next six months.

However, the duration may change depending on price trends.

COMMERCIAL RICE PRICES IN PANGASINAN

In Mangaldan Public Market, retailers report a slight decrease in commercial rice prices, with rates dropping by P1 per kilo over the past week.

“Medyo bumaba ang presyo ng bigas kasi pa-harvest na rin ang palay,” Axel Erpelo, a rice retailer, said.

“Bumaba na siya kahit papaano kaya mas okey ngayon,” Linda Lopez, a vendor, said.

Meanwhile, consumers like Ramil Mercado hopes for further reductions.

“Dapat talaga bumaba pa para hindi kami mahirapan na mga bumibili,” Mercado said.

The DA will monitor market prices and assess whether the food security emergency declaration should be lifted or extended.

Rice prices are expected to decrease further once the harvest season begins.