Anti-rice Wastage Act

Shiate Office of the surin ary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 AUG -7 P1:35 First Regular Session RECEIVED BY: SENATE S.B. No. 1101 Introduced by SEN. WIN GATCHALIAN AN ACT REQUIRING FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS TO SERVE HALF-CUP RICE SERVINGS, AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION THEREOF EXPLANATORY NOTE As of June 2025, Filipinos consume 17.7 million tons of milled rice on an annual basis.' Meanwhile, according to the most recent data, household rice wastage amounts to 255,000 metric tons per annum? - around 1.4% of total consumption. Overall, the amount of rice wasted could feed 2.8 million Filipinos. 3 This proposed intervention seeks to introduce a simple but significant intervention to the problem of rice wastage - requiring food establishments to provide half-rice servings if requested by the consumer. Non-compliant establishments will be subjected to fines for non-compliance. Overall, this bill aims to limit rice wastage in commercial food establishments by providing consumers more variety of choice in their rice servings. This proposal seeks to reduce rice wastage, thus addressing rice 1 United States Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service. "Grain: World Markets and Trade." June 2 Department of Agriculture, "DA chief pushes half- cup rice' plan as rice waste could feed millions. December 3, https://www.da.gov.ph/da-chief-pushes-half-cup-rice-plan-as-rice-waste-could-feed- millions /#:~:text=Data%20from%20the%20Philippine%20Rice,urgency%20of%20addressing %20the%20issue. 3 Tbid.

supply issues and promoting a more agriculturally sustainable paradigm of rice consumption, while at the same time affording consumers a more affordable option. In light of the foregoing, support for the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

Senate three ot lie sectetary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 AUG -7 P1:35 First Regular Session RECEIVED BY: SENATE 1101 S. B. No.. Introduced by SEN. WIN GATCHALIAN AN ACT REQUIRING FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS TO SERVE HALF-CUP RICE SERVINGS, AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION THEREOF Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Anti-Rice

2 Wastage Act.

SEC. 2. Half-Rice Requirement. - All proprietary establishments serving

5 food, including restaurants, eateries, hospitals, school canteens and cafeterias, hotels, inn, and other similar food establishments that serve meals prepared outside the home, shall hereby be required to serve half-cup rice servings in their menus, the selling price of which shall be adjusted accordingly. Offering half-cup rice servings for the price of one (1) cup serving shall be considered a violation of this Act.

SEC. 2. Penalty Clause. - All proprietary establishments serving food

who violate this Act shall be subjected to a fine of Fifty Thousand Pesos (PhP 50,000.00) in the first instance, One Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhP 100,000.00) in the second instance, and Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhP 200,000.00) and revocation of business license for subsequent infractions.

SEC. 3. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is

declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules,

and regulations which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SEC. 5. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from

its publication in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general circulation. Approved,