Starting this week, the National Food Authority (NFA) will release 700,000 bags of rice for local government units (LGUs) as part of the food security emergency. According to Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa, rice will be sold at P33 per kilo, while LGUs can sell it to their constituents at P35 per kilo. This move is intended to address the continued increase in the price of rice in the market.
On February 4, the Department of Agriculture (DA) declared a food security emergency after measures to lower the price of rice failed. According to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., NFA rice will lower the retail price in areas with high prices, such as Metro Manila and Cebu. Moreover, it will allow to reduce the contents of the warehouses and prepare them for the coming harvest this March and April.
Under the food security emergency, the maximum suggested retail price (SRP) for imported rice has been allowed, but according to DA monitoring, the sale of imported rice continues at a higher price. For example, imported special rice reaches P60 per kilo even with a P55 SRP. Despite this, the DA will not issue a notice of violation first to give retailers a chance to use up their old stock.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) continues to innovate in healthier foods, such as yogurt with pigmented rice bran. Rice bran from red and black rice is rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, and other nutrients that may provide anti-cancer, anti-obesity, and antidiabetic properties. In collaboration with the Philippine Carabao Center, buffalo milk is used to further improve the quality of yogurt.
Products like this are part of the government's efforts to address malnutrition in the country. Aside from yogurt, PhilRice has also developed other functional food products from brown rice and low glycemic index rice. These initiatives aim to provide healthy food options and promote the health of every Filipino while addressing the problem of hunger and overweight.
