Pinoy Passenger

There is a question on the usage of the word “shortage” in the latest national issue battling the Philippines. Does the “shortage” in rice really exist? Maybe it does, but it doesn’t necessarily mean the significant decrease in the farmer’s yield.

I bet you’re thinking what I’m thinking – rice hoarding. As per Secretary Arthur Yap, there is really no significant shortage of rice in terms of yield of the Philippine’s staple food. There is just a dangerous sector called the “hoarding businessmen”, who in the desire to profit, stocks rice supplies intended for the table of Filipino families. Who’s that Chinese again who bought NFA rice, then re-packed it to sell high in the market? Very business-minded indeed (and very selfish too!)

Although it’s a known fact that more rice fields are being converted to residential and commercial areas, as compared to the early years. That is why the government is targeting 98% rice sufficiency in 2010. I strongly feel they should include the abolish of graft and corruption in the agriculture/trade and industry sectors too. Regardless of the hectares of rice you have, hoarding will still do its dirty work unless you act on it.

Anyway, just to lighten up things, here’s a quick to-do-list for Filipinos to conserve rice in the looming rice “shortage” era of the country:

• If you’re among the weight-conscious girls out there (but actually loves pigging out), order half rice instead of whole. Carbo can really grow your belly.

• Don’t order a cup of rice or more if you can’t finish it all when eating in restaurants. The Department of Agriculture (DA) is now urging food chains to offer a half cup of rice to their patrons.

• Try eating bread, or pasta. It’s a new variation of your usual rice meal.

• Singangag! I love it! Don’t throw away last night’s dinner rice left over. Saute garlic, butter/margarine, and left over hotdogs, corned beef, tapa meat, then mix with left over rice. Good breakfast meal.

• Don’t fill the entire rice cooker with bigas if it can’t be consumed completely. Just cook the right amount of rice appropriate for the size of the whole family.

• Last: share the rice you can’t finish with your boyfriend. He’ll appreciate it (men are better rice eaters than women).

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