ILOILO City – With more than 542,000 metric tons of rice wasted annually nationwide, the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Western Visayas is urging local government units across the region to adopt Iloilo City’s half-cup rice ordinance to curb food wastage and conserve the staple grain.
DA regional information officer James Earl Ogatis said the ordinance, which requires restaurants, fast-food chains, canteens and carinderias to offer half-cup rice servings, could serve as a model for other provinces and municipalities.
Ogatis commended Iloilo City for becoming the first local government unit in Western Visayas to enact such a measure, saying smaller rice portions would help prevent consumers from ordering more than they can eat.
“May food wastage ang mga fast-food naton kag mga carenderia. May mga clients nga indi nila maubos ang gin-order nila nga kan-on. So, kon one half cup ang serving ang default, sigurado naton nga maubos. But kon ikaw madamo-damo ka magkaon, puede gid ka one cup ang order,” Ogatis said.
He encouraged municipal councils and provincial boards throughout Western Visayas to consider similar ordinances as part of a broader campaign against rice wastage.
Data from the DA showed that every Filipino wastes an estimated two spoonfuls of rice daily, equivalent to 9.69 kilograms annually.
Nationwide, rice wastage reaches approximately 542,477.6 metric tons yearly — enough to feed 5.17 million Filipinos for an entire year.
The figures underscore the importance of reducing household and commercial rice wastage as the government seeks to strengthen food security.
Respect for farmers
Ogatis said conserving rice is not merely about reducing waste but also recognizing the sacrifices of farmers who work to ensure a sufficient food supply.
“Ang pagtipig gina-encourage gid naton diri sa Iloilo kag sa bilog nga Western Visayas, kag gina-encourage man naton, ilabi na gid ang mga Generation Z, nga tipigan man ang bugas. Indi lang magpatasarak kay ginpangabudlayan ini sang aton nga mga mangungoma,” he said.
Ogatis added that rice is also wasted through improper washing, spoilage of cooked rice, and excessive servings that eventually become leftovers.
“Indi lang importansya ang ginahatag naton sa mangungoma kundi respeto naton. Food heroes sila sang rehiyon. Tipigan naton ang ila kinabudlayan. At the same time, gina-inspire naton sila nga magpadayun sa pagtanum kag pag-produce sang bugas nga aton ginatig-ang,” Ogatis added.
The regional campaign supports the Philippine Rice Research Institute’s (PhilRice) nationwide advocacy encouraging consumers to begin meals with smaller rice servings and take additional portions only when necessary.
PhilRice deputy executive director for development Dr. Karen Eloisa Barroga said in a November 10 interview with state television PTV that consumers, not just farmers, have a responsibility to help address the country’s rice supply challenges.
“Kinakampaniya po namin iyon na hindi lang po ang mga magsasaka ang makakatugon lagi sa ating kakulangan sa bigas. Ang mga consumers ay puwedeng-puwede rin pong makatulong sa kampanya na ito being ‘rice-ponsible’,” she said.
‘Be RiCEPONSiBLE’
The campaign coincides with the observance of National Rice Awareness Month this November, carrying the theme “Be RiCEPONSiBLE Every Day!”
The advocacy promotes three practices: avoiding rice wastage, buying locally produced rice to support Filipino farmers, and choosing healthier rice varieties.
Barroga said Philippine rice varieties can compete with imported products in quality and taste.
“In fact, iyong po ating 218 na variety, nanalo na ito ng silver and bronze sa world’s best rice. Kalaban natin ang Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar. Nagkakapuwesto tayo, nasa top 3 tayo,” she said.
Meanwhile, DA-Western Visayas regional executive director Dennis Arpia has directed the agency to prioritize locally produced agricultural products, including rice, fish and meat, during official activities.
“Ginasiguro gid namon nga ang pagkaon nga gina-serbe sa amon mga meetings locally produced sang aton farmers. In fact, may memo nga ginpagwa nga dapat ang i-serve sa tanan nga activities sang DA are locally produced, labi na gid ang bugas, isda kag karne,” Ogatis said.
As part of the monthlong observance, DA-Western Visayas distributed five kilograms of rice each to selected indigent residents, persons with disabilities, senior citizens and minimum-wage earners from Iloilo City’s seven districts on November 9.
The agency will also conduct a feeding program for 250 beneficiaries in Barangay Calaparan, Arevalo district, on November 20.
Other activities include the Pinasarap na Kanin Cooking Challenge and recognition of outstanding rice clusters at the Western Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center in Jaro.
In Iloilo City, some food establishments are already offering smaller servings. John Paciente, 44, a carinderia owner in Barangay Sambag, Jaro, sells half-cup rice servings for P5, compared with P10 for a full cup./PN
