The House of Representatives filed a proposal to empower President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to declare a "National Rice Emergency.

In House Bill 9030, or the Philippine Rice Emergency Response Act, proposed by Congresswoman Stella Quimbo, the National Rice Emergency proposal will exist for six months during the supply and price crisis.

Quimbo, who is also an economist, said every Filipino worries about the continuous increase in the price of rice and that what happened to the supply and price of onions last year might possibly happen again.

She said that the bill includes providing subsidies to ‘key stakeholders’ as well as chasing and holding accountable those who hoard and manipulate prices.

Once enacted into law, the violators will be imprisoned for 10 to 30 years and will pay a fine of one million to 100 million pesos when convicted of hoarding and price manipulation.

Quimbo believes that sufficient and affordable rice can be ensured for every Filipino without harming the livelihood of local farmers.