NFA Rice Rolls Out Next Week

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is expected to roll out rice from the National Food Authority (NFA) by next week.

- Helen Flores, Jasper Emmanuel Arcalas

On Feb. 4, the country was placed under a food security emergency as measures set in place to pull down rice prices have failed.

With the declaration of a food security emergency, the NFA can start selling its rice stocks.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., in a press briefing at Malacañang, said more than 50 local government units (LGUs) across the country have signified their interest to procure rice from the NFA.

The NFA will sell the rice stocks at P33 per kilo while the LGUs can resell the staple at P35 per kilo.

Meanwhile, Tiu Laurel said the NFA may recommend the increase in tariff on imported rice once the price of the staple drops to P42 to P45 per kilo.

"We can review, recommend for restoration, or maybe not fully restore - it can be from 15 to 20 (percent) or 15 to 25 or full 35, depending on the situation. Depending on the consultations with everybody," Tiu Laurel said.

Executive Order 62, issued by President Marcos in June last year, lowered the tariff on imported rice from 35 percent to 15 percent until 2028.

He said the government has to maintain the lower tariffs "until the rice price drops to a certain level."

"It (reduction on tariff) seems to be working as (prices of rice) are going down," Tiu Laurel said.