The Philippines, among the world's largest rice importers, declared on Monday a food security emergency to bring down the cost of rice, which it said has stayed elevated despite lower global prices and a reduction in rice tariffs last year.

Philippine Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel declared a food security emergency on rice on Monday to stabilise the "extraordinary" rice prices in the country, reported Xinhua.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday declared a food security emergency for rice due to an “extraordinary” spike in rice prices in the country. The declaration, under Department Circular No. 3,

The food security emergency declaration grants the Department of Agriculture the authority to instruct the National Food Authority to distribute buffer stocks to government agencies and local units. This measure aims to curb rising rice prices and shield consumers from further increases.