President Aquino declares 2013 as the National Year of Rice!

President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared the year 2013 as the National Year of Rice to underscore the need for a sustained and nationwide campaign to attain rice self-sufficiency by 2013. The Chief Executive issued the declaration by virtue of Proclamation No. 494, series 2012 on October 18, 2012.

The President, likewise, directed the Department of Agriculture (DA) to spearhead the celebration of the National Year of Rice towards achieving rice self-sufficiency and promoting public awareness to be responsible rice consumers.

"Part of the strategy to attain rice self-sufficiency is intensified information campaign and social marketing to enjoin producers, consumers, and policy¬makers to help achieve the said goal," the President said.

"A sustained and nationwide campaign to boost farmers’ morale and motivate them to adopt technologies to further improve farm productivity and encourage the general public to be responsible rice consumers are necessary to complement the government’s efforts to achieve rice self-sufficiency," he stressed.

President Aquino also affirmed the month of November of every year as the National Rice Awareness Month pursuant to Proclamation No. 524 (s. 2004).

According to the President, the DA may call upon other government agencies, non¬-governmental organizations, and the private sector for assistance in the celebration of the National Year of Rice.

"The DA shall provide funds for the celebration of the National Year of Rice from its regular budget," he said.

Source: Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO)

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