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Año backs declaration of food security emergency to ease high price of rice.

By GMA Integrated News

National Security Adviser Eduardo Año on Tuesday expressed support over the looming declaration of food security emergency on rice to address the increasing prices of the commodity.

In a statement, Año emphasized that the country’s food security is a ”national security interest, adding that it is a major component of the Marcos administration’s 15-point National Security Agenda as outlined in the 2023 National Security Policy.

”While there is sufficient supply of rice in the country, the price of rice, however, remains artificially high despite declining global rice costs and tariff reductions ordered by the President. Since rice is the country’s staple food, artificially high prices directly impact the lives of all Filipinos,” Año said.

”The Department of Agriculture therefore is well within its authority to effectively regulate and reduce the price to protect the interests of the public. We therefore support this measure by the DA to address high rice prices,” he added, citing Republic Act No. 12708.

The NSA said profiteering from the food security emergency, politicizing this issue for partisan political interest, and other malicious activities will cause more harm to the public.

”Now is not the time for more profits. Now is the time to put the country first. Let us all remain committed to this effort with the same spirit and dedication we have always shown to bolster our collective security as a nation,” Año said.

The DA is expected to declare a food security emergency on rice on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, as prices of the commodity remain high.

This came after the National Price Coordinating Council approved a resolution urging the DA to declare a food security emergency for rice given the prevailing prices.

President Ferdinand ”Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said the proposed declaration of the food security emergency is meant “to force the price down” after the government has done everything to do so. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA Integrated News

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/content/933549/a-o-backs-declaration-of-food-security-emergency-to-ease-high-price-of-rice/story/ QR Code

Published Date: January 21, 2025

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