DA PUSHES ‘HALF-CUP RICE’ SERVINGS IN RESTOS TO ADDRESS WASTAGE

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has called to revived the availability of half-cup rice options in food establishments that may help further reduce rice waste in the country. The current rice wastage in the Philippines could feed 2.8 million Filipinos annually according to DA.

Serving half-rice should be availed in food restaurants according to the Agriculture Department to reduce rice wastage (Photo courtesy of DA-PhilRice/Facebook)

Senate Bill 1863, or the Rice Waste Reduction Act of 2023, penalizes restaurants and other food establishments with P20,000 to P100,000 in fines for refusing a customer's request to be served less than a cup of rice. The bill has yet to be signed into law.

The “half-cup rice” initiative was introduced by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in 2013 which promotes serving smaller portions to reduce waste and diversify meals. DA clarified that the proposal was not to make half-cup rice portions compulsory but only to “encourage” establishments, particularly hotels, restaurants, and “carinderias,” or eateries, to offer this option.

“It is not mandatory but optional, meaning restaurants will have the option to offer it, because if you give customers]one cup of rice right away and they can’t finish it, that automatically becomes wastage,” Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said.

Data from Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), there were 255,000 metric tons rice wastage early as of November 2024, equal to around 19-20 kilograms wasted per household, citing the urgency of addressing the issue. 

From 2018-2019, average Filipino household wastes 53 grams of cooked rice daily, equivalent to 6.4 grams of uncooked rice per person. The data exclude wastage from restaurants and other establishments, making the total potentially higher according to Food and Nutrition Research Institute survey. 

A group of restaurant owners is supporting the proposal for half-rice servings to reduce rice wastage in the country but urged government to set standards on what actually constitutes  a half cup of rice.

47 local ordinances allow half-cup rice servings, but the campaign aims to implement it nationwide through local government agencies before an executive order is signed according to PhilRice.

The renewed call for mindful rice consumption highlights its potential to conserve resources and improve health outcomes for Filipinos nationwide “This isn’t just about food security—it’s about sustainability and public health”Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said.

"Implementing a half-cup rice serving can still reduce this waste. The potential savings could reach P1.8 billion annually.The DA promotes alternatives to rice like sweet potatoes, cassava and corn. There is also a need for an educational campaign to teach proper rice consumption habits,” the agency said.

Source: Philippine News Agency

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