Waste less rice, support local farmers – DA-7

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—The Department of Agriculture-Central Visayas (DA-7) is urging the public to practice responsible rice consumption and support local farmers as Bohol observes National Rice Awareness Month (NRAM) this November.

“Ang matag lugas sa bugas nga maluwas gikan sa pag-usik adunay dakong ikatampo. Busa, giawhag ko kamo nga magkuha lamang og pagkaon nga kaya ninyong mahurot ug sundon ang ABC strategy sa Be RICEponsible campaign,” said DA-7 Regional Executive Director Angel C. Enriquez.

(Every grain of rice saved from being wasted makes a significant contribution. Therefore, I urge you to take only the amount of food you can finish and to follow the ABC strategy of the Be RICEponsible campaign).

Enriquez led the formal launch of the campaign on Nov. 6 at the National Museum of the Philippines-Bohol.

DA-7 organized it with the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), the Agricultural Training Institute-Central Visayas (ATI-7), the National Irrigation Administration-Central Visayas (NIA-7) and the Bohol provincial government.

NRAM is observed every November under Proclamation No. 524, issued in 2024.

The observance aims to raise public awareness of rice, address malnutrition and poverty, and help the country reach rice self-sufficiency.

The DA opened this year’s national observance on Nov. 3 with the theme “Be RICEponsible Every Day.” The department and PhilRice will carry the campaign until 2028.

In her message, Enriquez, explained the campaign’s ABC strategy: A–Avoid Rice Wastage, by taking only the amount of food one can finish; B–Buy Our Farmers’ Rice, by supporting local farmers through buying their produce; and C–Choose Healthier Rice, by opting for more nutritious varieties such as brown rice and high-zinc rice.

She said DA-7 welcomes working with ATI-7, PhilRice, and NIA-7 to expand the campaign.

She stressed that being RICEponsible should be practiced every day, not only during the month.

Jasper Cantal of PhilRice said food waste and malnutrition are challenges that need to be addressed.

Cantal said 23.6% of Filipino children under five have stunted growth.

The figure comes from the 2023 National Nutrition Survey of the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI).

This, he said, is why food must be not only sufficient in quantity but also nutritious.

He also presented high-zinc rice as an option that can help improve nutrition, especially among children.

ATI-7 representative Jorge Trinidad urged farmers to continue planting rice to boost local production and ensure an adequate rice supply.

Members of the DA-7 Executive Committee, local farmers’ associations, and senior high school students from Manga National High School also attended the launch.

The launch also featured:

- a rice sale by NIA-7 with irrigators’ associations

- an exhibit of rice seed types and potted rice varieties

- distribution of information materials

- an on-the-spot photo contest

The event ended with the "Be RICEponsible" pledge, led by a student from Manga National High School. (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)

DA-7 Regional Director Angel Enriquez (L) highlighted the importance of teaching younger generations to consume rice responsibly, support local farmers, and consider healthier rice options during the launching of NRAM’s BeRiceponsible, Everyday! Campaign in Bohol on November 6, 2026 held at the National Museum of the Philippines-Bohol in Tagbilaran City. (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)

DA-7 enlists Bohol information officers 

in ‘Be RICEponsible’ campaign

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—The Department of Agriculture in Central Visayas (DA-7) has asked information officers of Bohol’s local governments and national agencies to help promote responsible rice consumption and support for local farmers.

DA-7 Information Officer Jolina Daño-Bacus presented the agency’s “Be RICEponsible” campaign during the Nov. 5 assembly of the Association of United Development Information Officers (AUDIO)-Bohol, in observance of National Rice Awareness Month.

The Department of Agriculture launched this year’s national observance on Nov. 3 under the theme “Be RICEponsible Every Day.”

The department has adopted “Be RICEponsible” as the observance’s theme through 2028, and its Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) now runs the campaign year-round.

Daño-Bacus asked the information officers to practice the campaign’s “ABC” pledge:

A – Avoid rice waste by taking only what you can finish.

B – Buy from local farmers.

C – Choose healthier rice, such as brown or pigmented rice.

PhilRice estimates that each Filipino throws away about two tablespoons of cooked rice a day.

That adds up to 10.85 million sacks worth of P24.4 billion a year, enough to feed about 5.17 million Filipinos for a year.

“Supporting the farmers' harvest will motivate them to continue their efforts, ensuring a reliable food supply,” Daño-Bacus said.

She said the campaign also seeks to revive the Half-Cup Rice Ordinance, which encourages food establishments to offer smaller servings so diners take only what they can finish.

AUDIO-Bohol Vice President for Local Government Units Khem Pendejito said information officers serve as bridges between government programs and the communities they serve.

“Let’s use our platforms, our voices and our influence to bring agricultural programs and advocacies closer to our communities,” he said.

“Let’s amplify the stories of our farmers and ensure that their contribution received the recognition they truly deserve,” he added.

The assembly, hosted by DA-7, ended with members reciting the “Be RICEponsible” pledge to reduce rice waste, support local farmers, and choose healthier rice.

Rice Awareness Month activities in Bohol

-Nov.6: National Rice Awareness Month-Rice Festival Kick-off program at National Museum of the Philippines, Tagbilaran City, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

-Nov. 10: Rice Symposium for children at Bagongbanwa Elementary School in Tubigon, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

-Nov. 12: Rice Symposium and Experimental Learning at Labonite Integrated Farm in San Isidro, Pilar, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

-Nov. 20: Young Farmers Big Day at Bohol Island State University in Bilar, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

- Nov. 28: RICEponsible Fun Run, starting at 4 a.m. at Bohol Wisdom School and ending at Plaza Rizal in Tagbilaran City.

National Rice Awareness Month is observed every November under Proclamation No. 524, signed on Jan. 5, 2004.

It aims to raise awareness about rice, help fight malnutrition and poverty, and achieve a sufficient rice supply through domestic production. (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)

‘Be RICEponsible’ pledge. Members of AUDIO-Bohol, led by San Isidro Information Officer John Carlo Rasonabe (holding a microphone), recited the “Be RICEponsible” pledge—committing to sustainable rice consumption, reducing food waste, supporting local farmers, and improving personal health—during the association meeting on November 5, 2026, hosted by DA-7. (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)