Full TEXT:

ORDINANCE NO. 2023-024 
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

AN ORDINANCE REQUIRING THE FOOD SERVICE INDUSTRY WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE CITY OF NAGA TO INCLUDE ONE-HALF (1/2) CUP OF COOKED RICE IN THEIR MENUS, PROVIDING PENALTY THEREOF AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES:-

Author: Hon. Jessie R. Albeus, DMD

EXPLANATORY NOTE

A study conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) shows that the Philippines, the world’s biggest rice importer, wastes at least P23 million worth of rice every day or at least P8.4 billion per annum which is enough to feed 4.3 million Filipinos.

It was also shown that each Filipino wastes an average of three (3) tablespoons or nine (9) grams of rice daily, equivalent to 3.3 kilos annually and 308,000 tons of total wastage. Cereals, including rice, are revealed to be one of the largest contributors to global waste. Rice is wasted from the moment it was poorly harvested, inefficiently transported, wastefully processed, and remains unconsumed after being cooked and served.

The Philippine Rice Research Institute of the Department of Agriculture launched the “Be RICEponsible” Campaign in 2013 that aims to encourage farmers, policy-makers, and the public to be responsible in their own ways and engage every Filipino to do their part in achieving rice self-sufficiency in the country. The very messages of the campaign are to “eat your rice right” and “save rice, save lives” which advocate reducing rice waste at the consumer level.

The State, through the Local Government Code, empowers the Local Government Units (LGUs) to enact and implement measures for the general wellbeing of their inhabitants. Thus, the City of Government of Naga supports the Department of Agriculture and the National Government to achieve a fourfold goal of reducing food wastage, attaining self-sufficiency in rice production, lessening consumer expense, and promoting health through balanced eating.

Some food establishments such as restaurants, fast-food chains, and the likes do not offer a half-cup rice order, leaving people with no choice but to order a full cup of rice which oftentimes go to waste if not consumed entirely. For this purpose, we ought to strengthen the campaign of reducing rice waste in the City by requiring the food service industry of Naga City to include half (1/2) cup and/or serving of rice in their default menus to minimize waste of unconsumed rice.

NOW THEREFORE, be it ordained by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Naga in session assembled, that:

SECTION 1. TITLE. This ordinance shall be known as “An Ordinance Requiring the Food Service Industry within the Jurisdiction of the City of Naga to include One-half (1/2) Cup of Cooked Rice in their Menus, Providing Penalties Thereof and For Other Purposes.”

This ordinance may be known and cited as “The Naga City Half-Rice Ordinance.”

SECTION 2. DECLARATION OF POLICY. The enactment of this Ordinance shall be guided by the following principles:

a) Providing the consumers with options for rice consumption help prevent wastage in consuming rice to realize rice production autonomy by our local farmers;

b) The rice and money we waste can be the very rice we need to feed the hungry and the undernourished in the City; and

c) Decreasing rice intake, as per the customer’s choice, promotes health awareness as they consciously try to limit rice consumption and effectively discourages overeating;

SECTION 3. DEFINITION OF TERMS. As used in this ordinance, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed to them:

(a) FOOD SERVICE INDUSTRY refers to all businesses, institutions, and companies offering food services such as, but not limited to, restaurants, fast-food chains, food courts, caterers, school canteens, office and hospital cafeterias, carinderia or turo-turo, and the likes;

(b) ONE CUP OF COOKED RICE refers to at least 200 grams of cooked rice

(c) HALF CUP OF COOKED RICE refers to one-half (1/2) of 200 grams (1 cup) or one hundred (100) grams of cooked rice.

SECTION 4. SCOPE. The Ordinance covers all firms, businesses, institutions, and/or companies involved in and responsible for “the preparation, sale of meals, catering services and other related services that serve the consumers” which includes, but not limited to, restaurants, fast-food chains, food courts, caterers, school canteens, office and hospital cafeterias, carinderia or turo-turo (street stalls), food carts, and other related food services or food establishments. Employees of such food establishments are required to inform the customers of the availability of half-cup rice servings.

SECTION 5. IMPLEMENTATION. The Ordinance requires all business 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 (1/2) cup of cooked rice should be 100 grams.

SECTION 6. PENALTY. Any food service provider found violating this Ordinance shall be penalized as follows:

a. 1st Offense – Written warning or reprimand

b. 2nd Offense – Fine of P 2,000.00

c. 3rd Offense – P 3,000.00 and one (1) month suspension of business permit and/or license to operate

d. 4th Offense – Permanent cancellation of business permit

SECTION 7. IMPLEMENTATION. The lead office to monitor the effective implementation of this Ordinance shall be the Committee on Consumer Protection, in coordination with the City Treasurer’s Office in the issuance of violation citation tickets and referral to the City Legal Office for appropriate legal action.

SECTION 8. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Ordinance is declared unconstitutional, or inconsistent with any national law, other sections or provisions thereof, which are not affected thereby, shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 9. REPEALING CLAUSE. All ordinances, resolutions, rules and regulations, or parts thereof, in conflict with, or inconsistent with any provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 10. EFFECTIVITY. This Ordinance shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication. The City Events Protocol and Public Information Office (CEPPIO) is directed to post salient information of this Ordinance in the Naga City Government Facebook Page and the Trimedia, for wider dissemination and information.

ENACTED: April 3, 2023

XXX                                                        XXX                                                               XXX

WE HEREBY CERTIFY to the correctness of the foregoing ordinance.

CECILIA B. VELUZ-DE ASIS
City Vice Mayor
& Presiding Officer

GIL A. DE LA TORRE
Secretary to the
Sangguniang Panlungsod

APPROVED:

NELSON S. LEGACION
City Mayor 4/5/23