Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESETATIVES
Quezon City, Phihippines
NINETEENTH CONGRES S
SHe:::edBRL;L¥];rgs5S§Lsn
Introduced by HON. JANETTE L. GARIN
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Rice is a part of the daily  meals of Filipinos.  However, statistics  show that Filipinos also waste a
significant amount of rice every year. For instance, data of the DOST-Food and Nutrition Research
Institute  showed that the country  wasted an average  of 46g of rice  per household every day in
2015. At 22.975 million  Fihipino households during the sane year, that was equivalent to around
384,957 tons, which was worth Php7.28B of imported rice (based on 2015 prices).  It was 26% of
our imported  rice during the same year. That wasted,arigiv can feed 2.5 million  Filipinos  for a
year. Needless to say that all the resources that were used to produce all these wasted rice grains
such as the water, electhcity,  and farm inputs were wasted, as well.
The staggering  reality  of total food wastage on data underscores the urgent need for sustainable
practices and mindful consumption.
The bill mandates all food establishments  such as restaurants,  eateries,  canteens, dining facilities,
food establishments,  hotels, inns, that  serve cooked rice to allow  the serving  of half-cup  rice to
minimize food waste, promote balanced and sustainable eating habits and ensuring healthier meal
portions.  Through this, consumers  may also lessen their expenses as well as reduce rice wastage.
By  implementing  this  measure,  the legislation  envisions ,a future  where individuals  have molie
freedom in their food options, establishments  prioritize  responsible serving practices  to minimize
food wastage, and society as a whole benefits  from a more sustainable  and balanced approach to
food consumption.
According  to  Department  of Agriculture's  PhilRice,  46  cities  have  implemented  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.
This bill is especially important now that our country has pledged to reduce food wastage by 50°/o,
aligning with the commitment made by  196 nations, that signed in support of Target 16 under the
Convention on Biological  Diversity  of the Kunming-Montreal  Global Biodiversity  Framework,
which seeks to advance sustainable consumption choices through the implementation of supportive
policies,  legislative  frameworks,  and educational initiatives  with the goal to achieve a substantial
reduction in the global footprint of consumption by 2030, with a specific focus on halving global
food waste,  significantly  reducing overconsumption,  and minirizing  waste generation.  This bill
could help achieve this international  commitment,  especially  by reducing rice waste. Hence, the
irmediate  passage of this bill is earnestly requested.
L
JANET
First
]utIN' MD, MBA-H
Reprgsentative
Province of Iloilo


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESETATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines
NINETEENTH CONGRES S
sHe:::edB¥;]¥[oargsffgn
Introduced by HON. JANETTE L. GARIN
ANACT
MANI)ATING RESTAURANTS AND FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS
T0 ALLOW SERVING HALF-CUP PORTION 0F RICE
Be it enacted by the  Serrate and House Of Representatives  Of the Phtlippines  in Congress
assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as`rfe "Rice waste Reduction Act of2023."
Section 2. Mandate. It is hereby mandated that all establishments  that serve cooked rice
shall include in their menu half-cup rice portion which shall always be available,  with the price
amounting to half as well.
Section 3. Punishable Act.  It is hereby punishable if the restaurants,  eateries,  canteens,
dining facilities,  food establishments,  hotels, inns, and the like will refuse to serve half-cup serving
of rice.
Section 4. Penalties. Any food establishment violating this Act shall be meted a fine in the
amount of Ten Thousand Pesos (P 10,000) for the first offense; Twenty Thousand Pesos (P20,000)
and Thirty Thousand Pesos ¢30,000) for the third offense.
Section 5. Rules and Regulations. The Deparrfuent of Agriculture is mandated to release
the rules and regulations  of this Act and necessary  orders  for the proper inplementation  of this
Act.
Section 6. Repealing Clause. All laws, executive orders, issuances, rules and regulations
inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended, repealed or modified accordingly.
Section  7.  Effectivity   Clause.  This  Act  shall  take  effect  fifteen   (15)  days  after  its
publicati.on  in any newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,