The Cebu City local government is now requiring food establishments in the city to provide a half-rice option to customers.

This came after the city government issued an ordinance for the mandatory half-rice option as part of efforts to avoid waste.

In order to guarantee that the ordinance is being followed, the city council directed the City Health Office to inspect food businesses.

Violators of the half-rice option could face business permit suspension and could be fined P5,000.

Meanwhile, Councilor Mary Ann delos Santos hopes that with the half-rice option, waste of rice will be avoided by customers amid the rice supply shortage.