Written by the Web Team
After President Benigno S. Aquino III declared 2013 as National Year of Rice through Proclamation No. 
494, the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) launched the Be RICEponsible campaign, which aims to help the country continually increase its rice production.
Hazel V. Antonio, PhilRice senior science research specialist, said that the campaign, presented to the public on March 28 at the GSIS Art Museum in Metro Manila, aims to intensify efforts that each Filipinos can do for the country to ensure good rice supply.
“In 2013, palay production was 18.44 million MT, which is 2.3% higher than the 2012 output of 18.03 million MT. This shows that Filipinos can still accomplish more amidst calamities that tested us last year,” the campaign director said.
In the Be RICEponsible campaign, implementers will reinforce the behaviors that the National Year of Rice tried to impart to the public and policymakers.
“We continually urge the public to be RICEponsible. That is, not to waste rice, consume brown rice, eat healthier sources of carbohydrates, and value the hard work of the rice farmers,” Antonio said.
In terms of policies, Antonio said that some towns in La Union, Bohol, Aklan, and Ilocos Norte have recently passed the “half-rice cup” ordinance.
Also recently, the Quezon City council passed a resolution urging major fast-food chains and restaurants to include brown rice servings.
