EDITOR THINKS
The declaration of a “food security emergency” by the Marcos administration has raised alarms across the Philippines, fueling concerns about rising prices, shortages, and the country’s long-standing vulnerabilities in food production and distribution. However, closer scrutiny suggests that this crisis is not entirely organic—it is, in many ways, a manufactured phenomenon, carefully orchestrated to serve political and economic interests rather than addressing the root causes of food insecurity. By examining the evidence, we can uncover how the administration is using this so-called emergency as a smokescreen to advance its own agenda.
The Specter of Food Insecurity
Food security is a persistent issue in the Philippines, but the Marcos administration’s framing of the current situation as an emergency appears to be an exaggerated response to a predictable problem. Rice, the staple of Filipino households, has long been subject to price volatility due to a combination of domestic production challenges, global market trends, and government policy missteps. In recent months, rising rice prices and shortages have been used to justify extraordinary government interventions. But was this crisis inevitable, or was it deliberately engineered?
Marcos’ Rice Tariff Reduction and Importation Push
One of the most telling signs that this crisis has been manufactured is the government’s push for increased rice imports while simultaneously reducing tariffs. In January 2024, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed an executive order lowering rice import tariffs from 35% to as low as 15%. This move was framed as a measure to stabilize prices, yet it disproportionately benefits rice importers and traders, many of whom have ties to the administration.
Historically, over-reliance on imports has harmed local farmers, making them less competitive and reducing domestic rice production. By lowering tariffs and flooding the market with cheaper imported rice, the administration is ensuring that local farmers struggle to make ends meet, further exacerbating the country’s dependency on foreign suppliers. In the long term, this strategy weakens the agricultural sector, creating a self-perpetuating cycle of food insecurity that necessitates continued government intervention.
Hoarding and Price Manipulation
Another key aspect of this manufactured crisis is the role of large traders and cartels in manipulating rice supply and prices. Reports have surfaced of warehouses stocked with rice being kept off the market to create an artificial shortage, driving up prices and justifying government intervention. Marcos himself has publicly raided these warehouses in a spectacle designed to show his administration’s commitment to combating hoarding. However, these dramatic actions do little to address the structural issues enabling such practices in the first place.
The administration’s close ties to rice traders suggest that this crisis may have been engineered to justify new policies benefiting a select few. By creating an environment of scarcity, the government is able to present itself as the savior of the Filipino people while quietly allowing certain business interests to reap enormous profits.
The Timing of the Emergency Declaration
It is no coincidence that this “food security emergency” is being declared at a time when the Marcos administration faces mounting criticism on multiple fronts. The economy is struggling with inflation, corruption scandals continue to emerge, and the president’s approval ratings are slipping. Declaring a food security emergency serves as a convenient distraction, redirecting public attention away from these pressing issues.
This tactic is not new. Throughout history, governments have used crises—both real and manufactured—to consolidate power and justify extraordinary measures. By portraying himself as the leader taking decisive action to “save” Filipinos from hunger, Marcos Jr. is attempting to bolster his image while diverting scrutiny from the administration’s failures.
Neglecting Long-Term Solutions
If this crisis were truly about food security, the administration would be focusing on long-term agricultural reforms rather than short-term fixes that benefit importers and traders. Yet, we see little investment in sustainable farming practices, irrigation infrastructure, or farmer support programs. Instead, government policy continues to favor large agribusiness interests over the small farmers who produce much of the country’s food.
Agricultural neglect has been a persistent issue in the Philippines, with successive administrations failing to prioritize local food production. Land reform efforts have stalled, subsidies remain inadequate, and climate change continues to threaten yields. The Marcos administration’s decision to prioritize importation over local production suggests that ensuring true food security is not the real goal.
The Role of the Media in Perpetuating the Crisis
Mainstream media has played a crucial role in amplifying the narrative of an unavoidable food crisis. Sensationalist headlines about skyrocketing rice prices and empty shelves fuel public panic, creating an environment where government intervention seems necessary. However, critical analysis of the situation is often lacking. Few mainstream outlets question why these shortages are happening now, who benefits from them, and whether the government’s proposed solutions are actually viable.
Alternative media and independent journalists have been more willing to investigate the real causes behind food insecurity, exposing the connections between government officials, big business, and international trade interests. Yet, their voices are often drowned out by the dominant narrative pushed by the government and its allies.
The Global Context of Food Security
The Philippines is not the only country facing food security challenges, but its policies make it uniquely vulnerable. Many nations invest heavily in agricultural sustainability, ensuring food self-sufficiency as a priority. Countries like Vietnam and Thailand have adopted long-term strategies that enhance food production and protect farmers from the volatility of global markets. The Philippines, on the other hand, remains heavily dependent on food imports, leaving it exposed to external disruptions such as climate change, conflicts, and economic downturns.
By ignoring lessons from other nations, the Marcos administration has further entrenched the country’s reliance on external food sources, making it easier for vested interests to manipulate supply and pricing. Instead of strengthening domestic food systems, policies continue to favor large-scale importation, undermining national food sovereignty.
The Impact on Filipino Families
Ordinary Filipinos bear the brunt of these manufactured crises. With rice and essential food items becoming increasingly expensive, low-income families struggle to put meals on the table. The government’s token interventions, such as distributing subsidized rice and implementing price caps, offer only temporary relief while failing to address systemic issues.
Meanwhile, the continued weakening of the agricultural sector means that future generations of Filipino farmers are discouraged from pursuing farming as a livelihood. Without adequate support and incentives, many rural communities face economic decline, driving further urban migration and exacerbating the country’s socio-economic inequalities.
What Can Be Done?
To combat this manufactured crisis, Filipinos must demand greater transparency and accountability from the government. Some key actions include:
Investigating Hoarding and Price Manipulation – Independent audits and investigations should be conducted to determine who is responsible for withholding food supplies and driving up prices.
Reevaluating Import Policies – The government should focus on strengthening local production instead of relying on foreign imports that make the country vulnerable to global market fluctuations.
Supporting Farmers – Increased subsidies, access to credit, and investment in modern agricultural technology can help Filipino farmers become more competitive and self-sufficient.
Holding Media Accountable – Citizens should push for responsible journalism that questions government narratives rather than blindly reinforcing them.
Public Awareness and Mobilization – Protests, advocacy campaigns, and grassroots movements can help pressure the government to prioritize real solutions over political theatrics.
The Marcos administration’s declaration of a “food security emergency” is a textbook case of a manufactured crisis. By manipulating supply chains, favoring importers, and using media to stoke fear, the government is engineering a problem that allows it to consolidate power and benefit key business allies. The true path to food security lies not in reactionary importation policies but in genuine agricultural reform that empowers local farmers and ensures sustainable food production for future generations.
Filipinos must remain vigilant, questioning the motives behind government actions and demanding real, lasting solutions instead of political spectacles. Only through informed civic engagement can the country break free from the cycle of manufactured crises and move toward genuine food security.
