Fearing PH rice crisis? DOST chief says consume ‘alternative’ food

DOST PRESENTS 2024 BUDGET: Sec. Renato Solidum Jr. leads officials of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and its attached agencies in presenting their proposed 2024 budget before the Finance Subcommittee L on Thursday, September 21, 2023. Under the executive department’s National Expenditure Program for 2024, the DOST was allocated a total of P25.6 billion for its operation and programs. (Joseph Vidal/Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will be able to handle the country’s rice woes if Filipinos consume alternative food, Science and Technology chief Renato Solidum Jr. said on Thursday.

The country’s rice issues were brought up during the Senate committee on finance’s deliberation on the proposed 2024 budget of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on Thursday.

“We can handle this food situation on rice by looking at other alternative[s]. We have to actually change the consumer behavior,” said Solidum.

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Solidum made this statement after Senator Francis Tolentino recounted his experience with Manobos.

According to the senator, he found out that a certain group of Manobos he met only eat rice once a week. On most days, they only consume root crops.

“And yet, we’re talking P41 [price ceiling on rice] ang daming nagrereklamo. I’m sure nakakain na kayo ng kanin kaninang umaga. Ganon yung mga nakakalungkot, na may mga Pilipino pala na ang kain lang ng kanin ay isang beses sa isang linggo,” said Tolentino.

(And yet, we’re talking P41 peso [price ceiling on rice] and many people are complaining. I’m sure you have eaten rice this morning. It’s sad that there are Filipinos who only eat rice once a week.)

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But while this alarmed Tolentino, DOST chief Solidum said eating root crops instead of rice is “not bad,” stressing that the department is, in fact, pushing for alternatives for rice.

He did not elaborate on these alternatives, but he noted that one could be bananas, particularly cardava.