BEGINNING May 5, this year, all businesses in the city that are categorized under the food service industry are required to include one-half cup of cooked rice in their menus as mandated in City Ordinance 2023-024.

It is indicated in the penalty clause of the ordinance that any food service provider found violating the rule shall be reprimanded or will be sent with written warning for the first offense; will be fined P2,000 for the second offense; P3,000 for the third offense as well as suspension of business permit and/or license to operate; and permanent cancellation of business permit for the fourth offense.

City Councilor Jessie R. Albeus, the author of the ordinance, said that he sees the importance of passing the ordinance as there are restaurants and fast-food chains that do not offer a half-cup rice order, leaving customers with no choice but to settle for a cup full of rice which oftentimes go to waste if not consumed entirely.

A Food and Nutrition Research Institute study revealed that the Philippines, the world’s biggest rice importer, wastes at least P23-M worth of rice every day or at least P8.4-B per annum which is enough to feed 4.3-M Filipinos.

The ordinance requires all establishments in the food service industry to include a half-cup of rice in their menu with its price also set at half of the one-cup order.  For uniform serving, one cup of cooked rice should be 200 grams.  Thus, a half-cup of cooked rice should be 100 grams.