AT A GLANCE
A bill mandating food establishments to make half-cup rice servings an option in their respective menus is being pushed in the House of Representatives.
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A bill mandating food establishments to make half-cup rice servings an option in their respective menus is being pushed in the House of Representatives.
House Deputy Majority Leader Rep. Janette Garin filed House Bill (HB) No.9536, also known as "Rice Waste Reduction Act of 2023".
The bill seeks to mandate restaurants, eateries, canteens, and other eating establishments that serve cooked rice to allow the serving of a half-cup of rice.
In the explanatory note of HB No. 9536, Garin said she “envisions a future where individuals are more conscious of their food choices, establishments prioritize responsible serving practices, and society as a whole benefits from a more sustainable and balanced approach to food consumption”.
The Garin measure intends to minimize food wastage, promote balanced and sustainable eating habits, and ensure healthier meal portions.
Any establishment that will violate this proposed Act will be fined P10,000 for the first offense; P20,000 for the second offense; and P30,000 for the third offense.
The Iloilo 1st district solon is calling on her colleagues in the House to support the legislation.
"I hope my fellow lawmakers will back this legislation. Marami ang nasasyang na kanin na dapat mas marami ang pwedeng makinabang. Panahon na para maipatupad ito at mabawasan ang rice wastage," she said.
(There are so many wasted rice that others should have benefited from. It is time to implement this and reduce rice wastage.)
Citing data from the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), the country has accumulated a total amount of P7.2 billion worth of rice wastage.
Rice is the Filipino staple food.
PhilRice further stated that 46 cities have implemented half-cup rice serving option. These include Quezon City, Manila, Davao, Cebu, Puerto Princesa, Baguio, and Iloilo.
"It is high time to implement this measure nationwide as it can play a pivotal role in addressing the country's rice self-sufficiency goals," Garin said. --Dexter Barro II
