The Department of Health (DOH) has advised Filipinos to try eating kamote and corn as an alternatives to rice.
DOH Undersecretary Enrique Tayag made the advise amidst the rising prices of rice in the local markets and stores.
"Pwede tayo magkaroon ng rotation sa ating basic food requirements. Ito ay napatunayan na sa mga nagdaang panahon. Halimbawa, may mga kababayan tayo na nasanay na kumain muna ng ibang pagkain, maliban sa bigas. Ito ay halimbawa, kamote, mais, at kung ano ang maaring mura," he said during a media forum on Tuesday, Septmber 5.
Tayag said the increasing rice prices should not impede Filipinos from reducing the nutrients that their bodies are getting.
He also mentioned that Filipinos may also try vegetables as a substitute for rice.
"Hindi lamang tayo mabubusog, magiging sapat pa 'yong sustansyang makukuha po natin," the DOH Undersecretary added.
Due to the surging rice prices despite the stable and sufficient rice supply, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recommended to President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. to impose price ceiling on regular and well-milled rice.
On Sept. 1, Marcos, who also sit as the Agriculutre Chief, issued an executive order (EO) approving the recommended price ceilings on rice throughout the country.
The said rice price cap took effect on Sept. 5.
As of Sept. 6, the agriculture department's bantay presyo monitoring showed that the prices of local commercial rice ranges from ₱40 to ₱62, while imported commercial rice ranges from ₱41 to ₱65.
