In order to stabilize supply and strengthen food security in the country, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the release of at least 100,000 metric tons of rice, Malacanang announced Wednesday.

Through an auction, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to release this week some 1.2 million bags, or approximately 100,000 metric tons of local rice, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a briefing.

“Inaasahang aabot sa P25 to P28 per kilo ang floor price ng bigas, depende sa edad nito. Layunin din ng auction na paluwagin ang mga bodega para makapag-imbak pa ng karagdagang supply ng bigas ? ibig sabihin lamang nito ay maganda ang ani ng ating mga magsasaka,” Castro said.

The Palace Press Officer also announced the release of yet unspecified volume of rice to expand the Marcos administration’s flagship “Benteng Bigas, Mayroon na” program, which allows beneficiaries to purchase rice at P20 per kilo.

Amid the planned releases, the government will continue monitoring rice prices to protect both consumers and farmers from unscrupulous individuals who might try to take advantage of the situation, Castro said.

The DA is also consulting with farmers, millers, and traders to prevent price manipulation and maintain market stability, in anticipation of the coming rice import ban, she said.

On August 6, Marcos ordered the suspension of the country’s rice imports for 60 days, starting September 1, to protect local farmers from low palay prices during this harvest season. Presidential News Desk