In a concerted effort to address the rice production shortfall in the Philippines, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has called upon public information officers in Negros Oriental to play a pivotal role in reducing rice wastage. This appeal was made by Alejandro Rafal, the newly appointed assistant regional director for operations and extension of the DA-Negros Island Region (NIR), during a strategic meeting with the Association of Negros Oriental Public Information Officers (ANOPIO) held in Dumaguete City.
Rafal highlighted the essential function of these officers, who are affiliated with both local government units (LGUs) and national government agencies, in promoting rice conservation as a key component of the government’s broader food security strategy. The meeting was part of the DA’s initiative to celebrate National Rice Month in November, focusing on enhancing access to quality food and tackling hunger across the nation.
The DA’s statistics reveal that the Philippines loses approximately 650 metric tons of rice to wastage annually, a volume sufficient to nourish about 5.8 million Filipinos. Rafal urged the public to adopt a more conservative approach to rice consumption, suggesting a reduction to a half-cup serving per meal as a practical step towards reducing waste.
Negros Oriental faces a significant rice deficit, with an annual requirement of around 116,000 metric tons against a local production of only about 35,000 metric tons. This gap underscores the urgency of conservation efforts in the region.
In alignment with the National Rice Awareness Month, the DA, in collaboration with the Department of Education, organized a feeding program for 220 malnourished children at Candauay Elementary School in Dumaguete City. This initiative not only supports the immediate nutritional needs of the children but also serves as a practical demonstration of the importance of rice in the Filipino diet.