BAGUIO CITY – Brown or unpolished rice is urged to be part of food establishments’ menu in the city.
This is contained in a city council resolution anchored on the self-sufficiency program of the National Government, with Baguio exploring viable means to attain said goals.
Section 15, Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution also states that “the State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.”
Accordingly, brown or unpolished rice is rich in protein, dietary fiber, vitamins B1, B2, B9 and E, minerals and antioxidants, which could help reduce prevalence of hypertension, cardio-vascular diseases and type 2 diabetes.
Other government entities including the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PRRI) attached to the Department of Agriculture spearheads a campaign, “Be RICEponsible,” to promote better health and promote rice-sufficiency through brown rice use. Income of farmers are also expected to increase with the program.
By Julie G. Fianza
