QuestionsQuestions (QUEZON CITY ORDICE NO. SP-2297, S-2014)
Under Section 16 of Republic Act No. 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991), LGUs may exercise powers expressly granted, necessarily implied, and those essential to the promotion of the general welfare.
It is known as the “Half-Cup Rice Ordinance of 2014.”
It refers to businesses, institutions, and companies responsible for meals prepared outside the home, including restaurants, fast food chains, schools, catering operations, office and hospital cafeterias, and food courts operating within Quezon City.
It refers to one-half of 158 grams per cup (about 80 grams per order).
Default serving is the preset selection of food/meal combinations offered by food providers and will always be followed except when altered (e.g., value meal, student meal, combo meal, economy meal, and similar offerings).
All food service providers preparing meals within Quezon City, including restaurants, fast food chains, schools and hospital eateries, food courts, and catering businesses.
They must include in their default serving of rice exactly half (1/2) of one cup and/or order of cooked rice in their regular menu.
The price of the half-cup rice menu must be exactly half of the price of the one-cup and/or order of rice menu.
Upon approval, the City Mayor, with recommendation from the City Health Officer, shall issue implementing rules and regulations to ensure proper implementation.
They must post the new default serving with its corresponding price tag, and they must also post a copy of the ordinance in the establishment with the message: “Eat Your Rice Right and Save Lives.”
First offense: written warning/reprimand from the City’s Business Permits and Licensing Office. Second offense: fine of PHP 1,000. Third offense: fine of PHP 2,000 and one (1) month suspension of license or permit to operate.
It takes effect upon approval by the City Council.
The ordinance specifically requires the half-cup rice inclusion in the “default serving” (the preset meal combinations), while allowing exceptions for certain altered meal types (e.g., student/value/combo/economy meals and similar).
The City’s Business Permits and Licensing Office issues the written warning/reprimand.