Manila, Feb. 19 -- Two weeks after the declaration of a food security emergency, the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday started the release of the first batch of rice stocks from the National Food Authority (NFA) to select local government units (LGUs).

In a press conference at the NFA warehouse in Valenzuela City, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the NFA rice stocks must be unloaded as "fast as possible" to free up spaces in warehouses nationwide and fast-track the buying of palay from local farmers.

"Since we are rushing na ma-dispose, kita niyo naman iyong warehouse na ito, medyo puno. At mas puno pa iyong mga ibang warehouse all over the country... Race to finish ito (to dispose of these, as you can see t...