Senate President Francis Escudero on Monday voiced support for the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) plan to declare a national food security emergency, emphasizing the need to lower rice prices as a means to address inflation.

“We must do everything we can to lower the price of rice which, to a large extent, is responsible for a big chunk of our inflation numbers,” Escudero said in a Viber message to reporters.

The DA’s proposed declaration would allow the National Food Authority (NFA) to release around 300,000 metric tons of rice stocks or six million bags at below-market prices through local government units and Kadiwa stores.

However, the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) has urged the DA to fully study the move, warning that it could negatively impact the earnings of local rice growers.

Addressing these concerns, Escudero assured that adjustments could be made if necessary.

“If the concerns of the FFF are indeed proven correct, I am sure the DA can make the corresponding adjustments to rectify its unintended ill-effect, if any,” he said.

The government’s push for a food security emergency comes amid rising inflation and concerns over food affordability for Filipino consumers. (PNA)