ILOILO Rep. Janette Garin yesterday filed a bill mandating restaurants, canteens, eateries, and other food establishments to make the half-cup rice serving option available to customers to reduce food wastage.
The proposed bill, also known as the “Rice Waste Reduction Act of 2023,” seeks to “minimize food waste, promote balanced and sustainable eating habits, and ensure healthier meal portions.”
“By implementing this measure, the legislation 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 bill said.
Under the proposal, establishments that will fail to abide the law will be fined P10,000 for the first offense; P20,000 for the second offense, and P30,000 for the third offense.
“I hope my fellow lawmakers will back this legislation. Marami ang nasasayang na kanin na dapat mas marami ang pwedeng makinabang. Panahon na para maipatupad ito at mabawasan ang rice wastage,” Garin said.
The bill noted a Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) report showing that the country has a total amount of P7.2 billion wastage worth of rice, adding that 46 cities have already implemented the half-cup rice serving option, including 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.
Two other lawmakers have also filed bills seeking to require restaurants to offer half-cup rice options.
Quezon Rep. Keith Micah Tan filed House Bill No. 9510 which defines half rice as 100 grams and seeks to penalizes violators with P5,000 for the first offense; P10,000 for the 2nd offense; and P20,000 for the third offense as well as the suspension of license or permit to operate for 30 days for the third offense and subsequent offenses.
For his part, Rep. Nicanor Briones (PL, Agap) filed House Bill No. 9511 which seeks to impose higher penalties of P20,000 for the first offense; P50,000 for the second offense; and P100,000 for the third offense as well as suspension of license or permit to operate for 30 days for the third and subsequent offenses.
