Isabela town passes ordinance on GAPproved rice

CONSUMERS in San Mateo, Isabela, can soon enjoy safer and higher-quality rice options as the municipality has pioneered an ordinance promoting Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP)-certified rice, known as GAPproved rice.

Ordinance 2025-917, introduced through the Rice Business Innovations System (RiceBIS) program of the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice), is the first of its kind in the country. It establishes a model for ensuring that locally produced rice meets stringent safety and quality standards.

Ofelia Malonzo, RiceBIS Isabela project lead, said GAPproved rice adheres to best practices that reduce chemical use and uphold environmental standards.

"The ordinance further encourages government offices and local businesses to prioritize purchasing PhilGAP-certified products," PhilRice said in a statement.

Sponsored by Sangguniang Bayan members Jonabel Collado, Jennifer Ramones and Lailo Paulo Palomares, the policy also promotes agroentrepreneurship by supporting farmer cooperatives and associations engaged in PhilGAP-certified rice production.

This initiative is expected to help farmers secure better pricing and long-term contracts, increasing their income. Also, consumers are expected to benefit from the increased supply of GAPproved rice.

"In 2023, the Bureau of Plant Industry certified 512 farms through the RiceBIS program. This year, the program aims to train more farmers and promote group certifications among cooperatives to expand production and meet the growing demand for healthier rice options," PhilRice said.