With an estimated P24.4 billion worth of rice wasted annually, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is urging Filipinos to consume rice more responsibly, emphasizing its critical role in national food security.
This, as the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) pushed its Be RICEponsible campaign year-round, from being observed mainly in November, since responsible consumption should not be limited to 30 days.
PhilRice estimates that every Filipino discards roughly two tablespoons of cooked rice daily, translating to 10.85 million sacks of rice worth P24.4 billion a year. This could feed around 5.17 million Filipinos for an entire year.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said responsible rice consumption should become an everyday practice, considering the staple’s importance to Filipino households and national food security.
‘Every grain of rice carries the work of a Filipino farmer. When we waste less, choose wisely, and support locally produced rice, we strengthen not only our farmers’ livelihoods but also our country’s food security,’ Tiu Laurel said.
For his part, Agriculture Undersecretary Christopher Morales said a year-round campaign shows the need to make responsible consumption an everyday discipline rather than a seasonal reminder.
‘Increasing production and reducing postharvest losses are critical to strengthening our rice supply, but these efforts will not be enough if we continue to waste what we already have on our plates,’ Morales said.
‘Disciplined consumption is just as important. Every grain saved from waste effectively adds to the food available to our people without requiring additional land, water, inputs, or production costs,’ he added.
The DA said PhilRice and its partners will introduce the campaign to schools, communities, markets, workplaces, terminals, and other high-traffic areas through information drives, food-tasting activities, exhibits, social media, and public events.
They also aim to revive the Half-Cup Rice Ordinance in participating areas, encouraging restaurants to offer smaller servings to help diners avoid taking more than they can consume.
Meanwhile, the agency also urged consumers to purchase locally produced rice to support Filipino farmers and enhance domestic supply.
‘Riceponsibility starts with something as simple as taking only what we can finish,’ Tiu Laurel said. ‘If every Filipino does a little, the country gains a lot, from less waste and healthier diets to stronger farmers and a more secure food supply.’