Baguio restos required soon to include brown rice in menu

By Pryce E. Quintos

BAGUIO CITY- All establishments in the city offering food to the public, including food chains, are required to include brown rice or one-half cup serving of rice in their menu with its corresponding one-half price as an option for customers.

This was stipulated under a proposed city council ordinance which stated those who violate the local law would be fined P1,000 to up to P5,000 with possible cancellation of their business permit.  

 Rice is a primary food source and the rice-based systems are essential for food security, poverty alleviation, and improved livelihood while theme for the International Year of Rice says “Rice is life”.

These are among reasons why the city council crafted the ordinance that seeks to support such campaign.

Called “Half rice ordinance of the City of Baguio,” the proposed ordinance was crafted in conformity to Department of Interior and Local Government Memorandum Circular No. 2015-06 which mandates ordinances of local government

units in support of the National Year of Rice and the “Be Riceponsible” Campaign.

Presidential Proclamation No. 494, declared National Year of Rice in 2013 and onwards.

 “There is need to support this campaign because the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology data shows that each Filipino wastes an average of 3.29 kilograms of rice annually,” the ordinance said.

 The ordinance added it is policy of city government to support “Be Riceponsible” campaign of the Philippine Rice Research Institute and the Department of Agriculture to achieve rice sufficiency.

The ordinance passed first reading at city council and will undergo a series of public consultations. -- Pryce E. Quintos