Senator Cynthia Villar Assures Filipinos No Bill Banning Unli-Rice

Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food Chairperson Senator Cynthia Villar clarified on Thursday, June 15 to “rice-loving Filipinos” that she is not planning to file a bill that will ban the serving of unlimited rice in restaurants and other food establishments.

The Senator said that she is just voicing her concern about the negative effects of taking too much rice.

“I am not planning to make a law banning ‘unli rice’, not at all. I just voiced out my concern that eating too much rice is one of the main causes of high blood sugar that leads to diabetes. But, of course, I cannot prevent people from eating unlimited amount of rice. It is their choice. It was just a genuine expression of concern on my part,” Senator Villar said.

She only noted that in other countries, they promote a balanced diet consists of a small portion of rice and a generous amount of vegetables.

“In schools in Japan, the students even discuss the nutritional value of their meals for the day before they eat. They also harvest the vegetables they eat from the garden in their school. Of course, we want our children and children’s children to grow up healthy,” added Senator Villar.

“I have recommended to the government departments and they are doing it in some areas already to incorporate vegetable gardening in schools in the feeding program, for instance. They can also source the ingredients locally, particularly the perishable produce, to help the small farmers and cooperatives,” Senator Villar said.

Source: Philstar