The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) on Thursday, Nov. 9, said it will push for the revival of the proposed measure that seeks to standardize the serving of half-a-cup rice in eateries, hotels, and restaurants in a bid to prevent rice wastage.

In a press briefing at the Malacañang, PhilRice Development Communication Division Head Hazel Antonio said they are eyeing to revive the Anti-Rice Wastage Bill authored and filed by President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. when he was still a Senator in 2016.

“Hindi lang siya [Anti-Rice Wastage Bill] naipasa kasi natabunan siya. We’ll try to revive that at magkaroon ng isang Senate bill siguro para sa half cup of rice kasi lagi nilang sinasabi, mas maganda kung national yung law para at least kahit saan ka man pumunta, alam mo na mag-serve sila ng half cup,” she said.

Antonio said 46 provinces and cities had released ordinances setting half-cup as the default service.

"Ito naman ay in consultation with businesses noong tinry namin sa mga provinces and cities. Okay naman sa kanila, as long as walang cost," the PhilRice official added.

She expressed hope that the Anti-Rice Wastage Bill will be revived soon.

“Sana ma-push ang Senate bill kasi magkakaroon tayo ng international commitment to lessen food wastage. I think we really have to work on it,” Antonio said.

According to Deputy Executive Director for Development of DA-PhilRice Karen Eloisa Barroga, every Filipino wastes two tablespoons of rice a day, costing around P7 billion a year.

“This could feed 2.5 million Filipinos sana kaysa na-waste,” she added.

Barroga mentioned that the agency’s “Be RICEponsible” campaign aims to convey a message to Filipinos to be responsible and “get only what you need.”

“Ano ba ang napapansin natin kapag may fiesta? Marami kasi yung takaw mata. The campaign says get only what you need and what we have done in the past is to encourage half-cup serving as default,” she said.

For her part, Antonio said: “Ayun talaga ang stand namin, kunin lang talaga nila yung gusto nila. Sana yung mga unli rice, mag-sanction talaga sila kapag hindi naubos. Sana maging strict lang sila para yung tao ay mas conscious sila.”

Under Senate Bill No. 1863 or the Anti-Rice Wastage Bill filed on Oct. 13, 2016, Marcos proposed to penalize restaurants, hotels, inns, canteens, steakhouses, and eateries that refuse to serve less than one cup of rice to a customer.

Erring establishments shall pay a fine of P20,000 for the first offense, P50,000 for the second offense, and P100,000 for the third offense.