AGRI Party-list Representative Manoy Wilbert Lee is calling on the Department of Agriculture (DA) to effectively implement food security emergency for a maximum of three months and prioritize purchasing rice from local farmers to replenish the National Food Authority’s (NFA) buffer stock, which was released following the government’s declaration of a food security emergency.
According to the DA’s Department Circular No. 3, the food security emergency will remain in effect “until lifted or withdrawn” by the Agriculture Secretary.
“Food security emergency would be ineffective unless the government takes decisive action against cartels and individuals artificially inflating rice prices.”
While Lee supports the declaration of a national food emergency to address the surging market price of rice, he said that such a measure is only a short-term solution.
“Maganda ang layunin nitong food security emergency para mapababa ang presyo ng bigas sa merkado. Pero dapat mailatag dito ang malinaw na timeline kung paano matutulungan ang mga lokal na magsasaka. Hindi naman pwedeng nasa ilalim tayo ng ‘emergency’ sa mahabang panahon,” he stressed.
“The NFA’s mandate should also prioritize our own rice farmers. Kawawa ang ating mga magsasaka kung mas iaasa na naman sa importasyon ang pag-replenish sa mga stock ng bigas. Dapat bilhin ng gobyerno ang palay ng mga lokal na magsasaka sa presyong tiyak ang kanilang kita, para ma-engganyo silang taasan ang produksyon, na magpapababa ng presyo sa merkado,” he added.
AGRI Party-list, who is running for reelection in the 2025 National and Local Elections, has been consistently pushing for the protection of livelihood and more support to farmers, fisherfolk and local food producers whom it considers “food security soldiers” to boost local production, achieve food security and cheaper basic commodities.
AGRI is the principal author of Republic Act No. 12022 or the “Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act” which imposes harsher penalties on individuals or entities involved in illegal activities that disrupt the agricultural sector, including large-scale smuggling, hoarding, and price manipulation.
“Food security emergency would be ineffective unless the government takes decisive action against cartels and individuals artificially inflating rice prices. Kailangan nang may masampolan at maipakulong. Balewala itong mga short-term solution ng gobyerno kung sa huli, namamayagpag pa rin ang mga demonyo at kriminal na pumapatay sa kabuhayan ng ating mga magsasaka,” AGRI said.
According to the party-list, DA and NFA should work closely with farmers’ groups, cooperatives, and other stakeholders to effectively address their needs and concerns, saying “there is a need for comprehensive strategies and long-term solutions that address both supply chain inefficiencies and market manipulations to achieve sustainable food security.”
“Bukod sa dagdag na suporta sa post-harvest facilities, tulad ng mga cold storages, dryers, rice mills, dapat ding paramihin at gawin nang permanente ang mga Kadiwa stores nationwide na nakakatulong sa ating mga local food producers at consumers.”
“Habang ipinapatupad ang short-term solutions, dapat na ring gawin ang mga pangmatagalang solusyon para maisulong ang tiyak na kabuhayan at murang pagkain kung saan panalo ang mga magsasaka, mangingisda, local food producers, consumers, at ang sambayanang Pilipino,” it added.
