MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has expressed his full support for declaring a “food security emergency” in the Philippines, a measure aimed at tackling the persistently high cost of rice.
Speaking to reporters on Friday during a visit to Burauen, Leyte, the President explained that this emergency declaration is being recommended to address the ongoing struggle to make rice more affordable for Filipinos. Despite various government efforts, such as price controls and subsidies, the problem of expensive rice remains unresolved.
According to Marcos, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is currently waiting for a formal recommendation from the Price Coordinating Council. Once the council submits its proposal, the DA is expected to officially endorse the declaration of a food security emergency as early as next week.
“The reason we are considering this is simple: we’ve done everything possible to lower rice prices, but the market is not working as it should,” the President stated.
The emergency declaration would allow the government to take stronger measures to stabilize rice prices and ensure that every Filipino has access to this essential staple. It underscores the administration’s commitment to making basic goods affordable and tackling inflation head-on.
This move comes amid rising public concern over food affordability, particularly as rice is a key part of the Filipino diet. The declaration is seen as a bold step to bring immediate relief to families burdened by rising costs.
