The declaration of a Food Security Emergency on Rice by the Department of Agriculture (DA) is yet another attempt by the Marcos administration to cover up its failure to address the deep-rooted crisis in the rice industry. Instead of implementing structural solutions that strengthen local rice production, the government is resorting to short-term, stopgap measures that do not resolve the real problem.

“Farmers and consumers have suffered long enough under the failed Rice Liberalization Law (RTL). For six years, this law has devastated local rice production, flooded the country with imports, and left farmers at the mercy of rice cartels and traders. The Food Security Emergency, which the RTL mandates, is just another band-aid solution and a concrete testament that this law fails to reverse the damage caused by decades of neoliberal policies in agriculture” said Alfie Pulumbarit, MASIPAG National Coordinator

On February 3, 2025, the DA declared a Food Security Emergency on Rice, allowing the National Food Authority (NFA) to release 150,000 metric tons of its buffer stock, to be sold to local government units (LGUs) and the Kadiwa program at P33 per kilo. However, this amount barely makes a dent in market prices and will not be enough to sustain consumers in the long run.

“The government says it wants to lower rice prices, but it refuses to confront the real issue -the control of rice supply, pricing by private traders and cartels, and the continuous shrinking of our agricultural lands and rampant use of unsustainable practices,” Pulumbarit continued. “Even if the NFA releases all its stocks, it will not be enough to ‘influence’ prices, especially when rice imports and price manipulation continue unchecked.”

Data from the NFA itself reveals that as of January 15, 2025, it only had 708,217 bags of rice in its warehouses, while the rest of the 7,991,522 bags remained unprocessed palay. This means the actual available rice stock is far less than what the government claims. Worse, many of the NFA’s milling contracts have already expired, making it unclear how they will process and distribute the rice effectively.

Adding to the controversy, in February-March 2024, the NFA was caught selling rice to private traders at P25 per kilo, leading to the suspension of over 100 officials and employees. This highlights the persistent corruption within the agency and raises questions about whether the new rice distribution scheme will truly benefit consumers or simply be another opportunity for abuse.

Under Rice Liberalization, the Philippines has become the world’s largest rice importer, with 4.68 million metric tons imported in 2024, and 5.22 million metric tons projected for 2025, according to the USDA. Instead of prioritizing local farmers, the government has made the country dangerously dependent on the global rice market, leaving Filipinos vulnerable to price shocks and supply disruptions.

With the mid-term elections approaching, MASIPAG also warns that the Food Security Emergency could be used as a political tool to benefit those in power.

“There is a real danger that this emergency will be weaponized for patronage politics,” Pulumbarit cautioned. “Subsidized rice distribution through Kadiwa and LGUs could be used to buy political loyalty instead of addressing the structural crisis in the rice industry. Politicians can easily use ayuda to gain votes while failing to deliver long-term solutions for farmers and consumers.”

“The solution to the rice crisis is not more imports or subsidies that will only temporarily lower prices,” Pulumbarit emphasized. “The real solution is to junk the Rice Liberalization Law and support farmer-led agroecology, which ensures sustainable production, fair prices for farmers, and accessible food for consumers.”

MASIPAG calls on all Filipinos to stand against the failed policies that have pushed us into this crisis. The fight for food sovereignty starts with rejecting neoliberal policies and demanding a farmer-led, agroecological approach to agriculture. Only then can we achieve real food security and justice for farmers and consumers alike.

JUNK RICE LIBERALIZATION NOW!

STRENGTHEN LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION!

SUPPORT FARMER-LED AGROECOLOGY!

MASIPAG

Click here to subscribe to ESSF newsletters in English and or French.