MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE) A resolution urging the House of Representatives to grant President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo emergency powers to “immediately and effectively address the rice crisis in the country in the most efficient and judicious manner” has been filed at the House of Representatives.

House Resolution 512 was filed Monday by La Union Representative Thomas Dumpit Jr., member of the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino founded by the President herself.

“The urgency of the situation compels drastic measures on the part of the government in order to address pressing need on the rice crisis, whereby mitigating, if not eliminating, the colossal effects of the crisis,” Dumpit said in the resolution.

“In view of the massive proportions of the crisis and in order to effectively address the same, there is a compelling need to treat the rice problem as a calamity and grant her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo emergency powers in a restrictive scope,” he said.

The additional and special emergency powers, the lawmaker said, should focus only on the rice shortage in the country.

In filing the resolution, Dumpit pointed out the effects of the worldwide rice crisis as shown by the soaring prices of the staple in the country.

Grain dealers in most parts of the country, Dumpit said, have also been complaining of the limited stocks sold by the National Food Authority prompting the country to import to cover this shortage.

Dumpit also pointed out the numerous reports of diversion of the government-subsidized rice from the NFA to the retail market by unscrupulous traders and alleged hoarding by powerful rice cartels.

“The proportion of the rice crisis in the country is no ordinary crisis since rice is a basic staple for the Filipino family, hence the large escalation on the staple’s price may cause a social and political uprising in the country,” the resolution further said.

But Deputy House Minority Floor Leader Roilo Golez said that “it should be the President who should declare an emergency [to] clearly define the extent of the emergency.”

“On that basis, Congress would consider a food crisis or rice crisis bill giving the President powers similar to the water crisis and power crisis acts during Ramos administration, particularly emergency
procurement, arrest of hoarders, profiteers, etc,” he said.

Golez said it should also be the President, who should ask Congress for additional powers.

“It would be funny if Congress would give this power to the President when she is not asking for it,” he said.

“Bakit kami mangunguna [Why should we preempt this] especially considering that until now, they are saying there’s no rice crisis in the country?” he pointed out.

Speaker Prospero Nograles agreed with Golez.

Nograles said Congress should first wait for the President to convene the Legislative-Executive Development Authority Council and formally ask for such additional powers.

“I am sure we will all agree. Anyway, it’s there so anytime it’s needed we can approve it as soon as possible,” he said.