Pasay cooks up own ‘half-cup rice’ ordinance

Food establishments in Pasay City can no longer refuse customers who ask for just a half-cup of rice.

The city council recently passed on third and final reading an ordinance requiring restaurants and eateries to offer such servings, or face penalties

The measure is awaiting the approval of Pasay Mayor Antonino Calixto before the implementing rules and regulations can be finalized.

The measure, authored by Councilors Mark Anthony Calixto and Jose Calixto Isidro Jr., is in line with the local government policy of preventing “unnecessary waste in the consumption of rice, in order to help achieve rice self-sufficiency.”

NFA data

It cited data from the National Food Authority (NFA) showing that an individual wastes an average of two tablespoons of rice daily, which add up to 3.3 kilos a year.

Allowing customers to order only what they can consume could help reduce rice wastage, the councilors said.

In 2014, similar ordinances were approved by the local governments of Quezon City and Manila.

Under Pasay’s version, non-complying establishments face a fine of P3,000 for the first offense, P5,000 for the second offense, and revocation of business license for the third. —ERIKA SAULER