BAGUIO CITY– The city council finally approved the half rice ordinance of the City of Baguio introduced by vice mayor Edison Bilog.
All business establishments in Baguio offering food to the public such as food chains, restaurants, hotels, inns, canteens, eateries, and the like are now required to offer half cup of rice as option in their menu with corresponding one-half the price to avoid wastage.
This is in support to the RICE-ponsible campaign of the Philippine Rice Research Institute, Department of Agriculture so as to achieve rice sufficiency.
The ordinance states the ‘Rice is Life’ theme of the International Year of Rice reflects the importance of rice as a primary food source and is drawn from an understanding that rice-based systems are essential for food security, poverty alleviation, and improved livelihood.
The measurement of half-rice will depend on the measurement of one cup of rice being served. While one cup of rice is equivalent to 226.7 grams or at least a minimum of 200 grams in weight as stated in the ordinance.
Violators of the said ordinance will be fined P1,000 for first offense; P3,000 for the second offense; and P5,000 as well as cancellation of business permit for the third offense.
Serving less than the minimum of the standard measurement of half cup of rice is also a violation of the ordinance.
The ordinance is anchored on Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Memorandum Circular No. 2015-06 issued by then secretary Mar Roxas.
Permits and licensing division of the mayor’s office as well as sangguniang barangays will be tasked to monitor and implement said half-rice ordinance. **Jho Arranz
