Local execs told: Promote brown rice

MANILA, Philippines — Interior and Local Government officer-in-charge Catalino Cuy is calling on all local chief executives to support the celebration of this year’s National Rice Awareness Month (NRAM).

In a directive, Cuy urged governors and mayors to participate in the #RICEponsiblePlateChallenge by encouraging food establishments in their areas to serve brown rice and rice mixes this November.

“Local government officials have a crucial role in the campaign to inform every Filipino of how they can help the country achieve rice self-sufficiency,” said Cuy.

He said the theme for this year’s celebration of NRAM is “Ready? SET rice! RICEponsible Filipinos save rice, eat healthy, and try brown rice.” It focuses on the consumption of appropriate quantity of rice and of healthy forms of rice, especially brown rice and rice mixes.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) spearheads annually the celebration of NRAM every November by virtue of Presidential Proclamation 524.

According to the DA-Philippine Rice Research Institute, a person can be “RICEponsible” by not wasting even a single grain, eating the brown variety, mixing it with other staples, and by thanking farmers literally or valuing the fruits of their labor.

The DA said compared with white rice, brown rice (unpolished rice) is nutritionally superior because the bran layer contains higher amounts of protein, dietary fiber, B vitamins, Vitamin E, minerals and antioxidants.

Brown rice makes one feel full faster, the DA added: instead of a cup of white rice half or three-fourths of a cup of brown rice is enough.  

Eating a rice-corn mix may help lower the risks of diabetes because corn has lower glycemic index compared to white rice, DA said.

It can help consumers because it delays or slows down the feeling of hunger or tiredness, DA said. Corn slows the release of energy, DA added.