Filipinos love “rice.”
It is the number one food on their dining table.
It has several varieties, including black rice, brown rice, and white rice; every type of it has a distinct flavor and texture.
A Filipino meal, as they said, seems incomplete without rice – whether it be for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even in large gatherings.
Why so?
According to the Philippine Rice (PhilRice) Research Institute, “Rice is an excellent source of carbohydrates, a macronutrient that provides energy for the body.”
The National Nutrition Council (NCC) supported the statement, adding that eating rice offers half of Filipinos’ calorie requirements and is also a good source of other nutrients like calcium, fiber, iron, and protein the human body needs.
Aside from its health benefits, rice farming provides livelihood and income for Filipino families, especially farmers.
That is how rice is essential to the lives of Filipinos.
Under Presidential Proclamation No. 524, series of 2004, the Philippines observes National Rice Awareness Month every November to recognize the contribution of farmers and the role of rice in providing food and reducing poverty among Filipinos.
In line with the said observance, the Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Agricultural Training Center-Regional Training Center 1 (ATI-RTC 1), has encouraged Filipinos to avoid food wastage and consume rice responsibly.
“Nananawagan tayo sa bawat Pilipino na tumulong sa paggawa ng kanilang bahagi sa hindi pagsasayang ng rice dahil sa bawat butil ng bigas ay mayroong masasagip na buhay,” said Maricel Dacapias, chief of the information services section of ATI-RTC 1.
This year’s theme: “Be RICEponsible,” promotes the ABKD campaign or movement which translates to the following responsible rice consumption practices:
• A – Adlay, mais, saba, at iba pa ay ihalo sa kanin. To make rice more flavorful, add food rich in carbohydrates like adlai, corn, or saba banana.
• B – Brown rice ay kainin. It is rich in antioxidants, fiber, minerals, protein, and vitamins that help reduce cancer, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and other diseases.
• K – Kanin ay huwag sayangin. According to a study, almost every Filipino wastes about two spoons of rice every day.
• D – Dapat bigas ng Pilipinas ang bilhin. Let us help Filipino farmers and patronize locally owned rice.
“Iyan ang apat na strategy na nais ng Department of Agriculture. Ang pinakamainam diyan ay magkaroon tayo ng sapat, masustansya, at hindi nasasayang na pagkain. Gayundin, ang competitive business din natin ay patungkol sa pag-produce ng ating mga palay,” said Junelyn Repancol, information officer II and project officer for National Rice Awareness Month of ATI-RTC 1.
The DA is intensifying the call for rice awareness that it should be a constant effort rather than something that lasts just for a month.
Thus, let us support our Filipino rice farmers who provide us with the staple food – the rice that gives us strength every day.
Furthermore, the government also urges every family to buy local rice instead of imported rice as this not only helps one’s health but also helps in economic growth.
It can be recalled that the Marcos administration’s main goal is to increase the output of the nation’s food production industry so that it may become less dependent on the importation of essential agricultural products. (JCR/AMB/JCDR/PIA Pangasinan)
