'Half-rice' pushed anew to reduce food wastage | ABS-CBN
ADVERTISEMENT
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
'Half-rice' pushed anew to reduce food wastage
'Half-rice' pushed anew to reduce food wastage
MANILA — The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) are eyeing to revive the push for half-rice servings in canteens and restaurants as rice wastage in the country remains high.
MANILA — The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) are eyeing to revive the push for half-rice servings in canteens and restaurants as rice wastage in the country remains high.
Data from PhilRice has shown that 255,000 metric tons of rice is wasted in the country yearly as of November 2024, equal to around 19-20 kilograms wasted per household.
Data from PhilRice has shown that 255,000 metric tons of rice is wasted in the country yearly as of November 2024, equal to around 19-20 kilograms wasted per household.
This volume can already feed 2.79 million Filipinos annually, PhilRice said.
This volume can already feed 2.79 million Filipinos annually, PhilRice said.
While the number is down from a previous record of 300,000 MT per year, they said this could be further trimmed down with the implementation of the half-cup of rice policy.
While the number is down from a previous record of 300,000 MT per year, they said this could be further trimmed down with the implementation of the half-cup of rice policy.
ADVERTISEMENT
Under this, restaurants and eateries will be obliged to offer half rice servings.
Under this, restaurants and eateries will be obliged to offer half rice servings.
"So ang goal ng half cup actually ay para din maprotektahan 'yung ating mga consumers na hindi talaga kayang umubos ng one cup, so ma-lessen 'yung wastage. Tapos maprotektahan din 'yung mga kababayan natin na may mga diabetes na hindi talaga nila kayang kainin 'yung one cup," said Hazel Antonio Beltran, head of Development and Communication Division of PhilRice.
"So ang goal ng half cup actually ay para din maprotektahan 'yung ating mga consumers na hindi talaga kayang umubos ng one cup, so ma-lessen 'yung wastage. Tapos maprotektahan din 'yung mga kababayan natin na may mga diabetes na hindi talaga nila kayang kainin 'yung one cup," said Hazel Antonio Beltran, head of Development and Communication Division of PhilRice.
(The goal of serving "half cups" is to protect consumers who cannot finish one cup. This will lessen wastage. This will also help those with diabetes.)
(The goal of serving "half cups" is to protect consumers who cannot finish one cup. This will lessen wastage. This will also help those with diabetes.)
Beltran said they have pitched the idea to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., who expressed full support for the proposal. Marcos filed a similar bill when he was in the Senate.
Beltran said they have pitched the idea to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., who expressed full support for the proposal. Marcos filed a similar bill when he was in the Senate.
"Gusto talaga namin sana siya na maging national para anywhere you go, you know na dapat ay maka-order ka ng half. At dapat ma-half din or close to half yung presyo nun," Beltran said.
"Gusto talaga namin sana siya na maging national para anywhere you go, you know na dapat ay maka-order ka ng half. At dapat ma-half din or close to half yung presyo nun," Beltran said.
ADVERTISEMENT
(We want to make it a national policy so everyone can order half rice anywhere in the country. This will also halve the price.)
(We want to make it a national policy so everyone can order half rice anywhere in the country. This will also halve the price.)
While many small eateries offer half-cup servings, many fast food chains still do not offer half-rice.
While many small eateries offer half-cup servings, many fast food chains still do not offer half-rice.
Beltran said this will be beneficial to those on diets, those who want to save money, and those with diabetes or other health conditions.
Beltran said this will be beneficial to those on diets, those who want to save money, and those with diabetes or other health conditions.
The Department of Agriculture said the government must launch educational activities on rice consumption for children.
The Department of Agriculture said the government must launch educational activities on rice consumption for children.
DA spokesperson Arnel de Mesa said children must be educated on the value of not wasting rice.
DA spokesperson Arnel de Mesa said children must be educated on the value of not wasting rice.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Malaking bagay na magkaroon ng half cup serving para mabawasan wastage sa kanin at bigas. Dapat mayroong educational activities, ituro sa mga bata kung paano pagtitipid ng kanin," he said.
"Malaking bagay na magkaroon ng half cup serving para mabawasan wastage sa kanin at bigas. Dapat mayroong educational activities, ituro sa mga bata kung paano pagtitipid ng kanin," he said.
(The half-cup serving will do a lot in lessening our rice wastage. We need to have educational activities, we need to teach our children how to ensure there will be no rice wastage.)
(The half-cup serving will do a lot in lessening our rice wastage. We need to have educational activities, we need to teach our children how to ensure there will be no rice wastage.)
De Mesa clarified that once implemented, half-cup rice will not be mandatory for all consumers, but it will only give them the option should they wish to consume less rice.
De Mesa clarified that once implemented, half-cup rice will not be mandatory for all consumers, but it will only give them the option should they wish to consume less rice.
RELATED VIDEO
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
