BEFORE we start panicking about a zombie apocalypse type of scenario or overthink about having a hard time trying to buy food or produce? Let us first delve as to what does it really mean to be under a state of food security emergency.
Earlier, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. said that they may enforce of declare such an emergency on Tuesday, February 4.
Under Republic Act 12078 or the law amending the Agricultural Tariffication Act, the Agriculture Secretary can declare a food security emergency.
However for this one, it will be for rice due to a supply shortage or extraordinary increase in prices.
Earlier it was recommended by the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) for the DA to declare a food security emergency.
Under the said situation the NPCC will devise a formula aimed at determining the actual existence of a rice supply shortage or a sudden extraordinary increase in rice prices.
According to the law, the DA can use three measures if there is a rice supply shortage or increase in rice prices.
It will also give the department an authority to sell the existing rice buffer stock of the National Food Authority (NFA) to areas which have a rice supply shortage or extraordinary increase in prices.
The DA can also replenish the used NFA rice buffer stock with locally produced rice that would come from the farmers or farmers’ cooperatives and associations.
It will also give the department an authority to import rice when the available supply of locally produced rice is inadequate.
Meanwhile the Price Act or Republic Act 7581 can have the Price Coordinating Council conduct monitoring for the productivity, distribution and price stabilization programs, projects and measures of the government.
They are also to be tasked to develop comprehensive strategies to effect a general stabilization of prices of basic necessities and prime commodities at affordable levels.
Read More:
