Philippine authorities have urged restaurants and fast-food chains to cut their rice servings amid a looming shortage of the country’s staple food.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap noted that a lot of rice was actually wasted in restaurants and fast-food chains, where customers do not usually eat the whole one-cup serving.

“We are inviting them to participate with us in the rice conservation program,” he said. “I’m asking fast-food restaurants to give their customer an option to order a half cup of rice.”

 
Yap maintained there was still no shortage of rice in the country, noting that “our supply for now is just enough.”

But Senator Manuel Roxas, a former trade secretary, urged the government to be more transparent about the looming rice shortage.

“It’s safe to say that we have enough supply from January to September this year. Come November, where will we get our supply from?” he asked. “We cannot depend on other countries’ exports.

“I am raising a fair warning now because the people have the right to know whether we are facing a looming rice crisis,” Roxas added. “Government must tell the truth and be accountable.”

The Philippines is still struggling to source close to two million metric tons of rice this year amid a tight global supply and soaring prices. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has also approved the augmentation of 1.5 billion pesos ($36.6 million) for various seed projects.

 

Yap  said the “thin” rice supply in the world market has put pressure on The Philippines, one of the world’s largest rice importers. “What is happening right now is unprecedented.”

The Presidential Palace has promised the public a steady rice supply even during the three-month dry season. However, President Arroyo said a price rise is expected.