MACROECONOMICS

Rosete, Minerva B.

TF 4:00-5:30 PM

AB-Economics
Reflection Paper on Numero: Juan Aksaya
I remember a story related by an acquaintance. He said he has a
friend with nephews and nieces who would recommend eating in a
restaurant, order all sorts of sumptuous food; but would not even finish half
of their meals. Those kids were said to be enrolled in the biggest
universities in the Philippines, so I presume they belong to the upper class
mentioned in the documentary. They belong to those 13% of the countrys
population who put well food into waste. Food wastage might imply that you
earn a lot of money; but it also implies stupidity, not power and glory. We
always find it a thing to laugh at when we eat with our friends and they see
someone finishing his meal to the last drop of soup and last bit of rice,
calling him patay-gutom. For me, it is nothing to laugh it, but it is
something more to be admired.
I recall attending a recollection and were not allowed to leave what
they call mumu ng kanin on our plates; because if we do so, we will take
over in dishwashing area in the kitchen. I really thought they were overacting. At first, you would only think of it as a punishment, but as you grow

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into maturity, youll realize, theyre just making you realize of how fortunate
you are to have many things in life: to be able to eat complete meals in a
day, that you are fortunate that I do not have to break my back just to
search for something to eat. Afterwards, theres something better, youll
learn to sympathize. At home, its just fine to leave mumu which are
countable with the fingers of our hands. My father would tell us that life was
really tough during their early years that they even skip meals, or one has
to give up schooling just to have something to feed the family. Opportunity
cost, you know. But as I was able to catch on documentaries in different
news channels, even in noon-time reality shows, I said: No, they werent
over-acting. On thse shows, I have first learned of the pagpag food of the
homeless; not the pagpag that has something to do with funerals. I never
thought other peoples wasted food could be a buffet to a community of
scavengers. While those people who have been blessed abundantly, what
do they do? They put things to waste, and they think of this as a trophy!
Im wealthy. I can afford and Im going to pay for something I cannot
finish; and thats fine with me. Whatever negative thing people will say
about me, it doesnt matter. It is my money. This is what Mang Bitoy was
talking about, Kahit nakapanghihinayang, wala naman tayong magagawa
kasi sa kanila naman yun.

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The Philippines, once known to be one of the biggest exporters of
rice in the world, is now one of the countries which lead in rice importation.
I remember a class discussion in our Natural Science 3: Environmental
Management about our most glorious days in the agricultural industry.
According to the World Food Programme, known for being the worlds
largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger, once made a statement that
there is really enough food for everyone in the world. I completely agree
with this; no matter how overpopulated the world is, its resources would
always be enough for the sustenance of everyones needs. The question
then now is, why is there poverty of such a great degree? I thought were
on a flight of better development in an ever-changing world, what really is
happening? To whom should we pass the blame on? Or should we? The
answer might be that of a familiar quotation used in classes and seminars
on environmental awareness and management: There is enough for
everyones need, but not for everyones greed. This is the truth
popularized by Mahatma Gandhi. It is true, the greedy few who cared
nothing but self-interests are to be blamed. But are they alone to be
blamed? We could also be blamed for our indifference to our fellow
humans. We could also blame those who suffer who deserve to suffer
because of their inaction. I remember a lesson in Rizal talking about
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indolence of the Filipinos. It was before, I doubt if it still continues until now,
that during the Spanish conquest, people are taught that to be poor is to
have a visa to heaven. Thus, they were contented with their condition.
The figures really trust figures, data, graphs; we have to admit, that
data on big issues as this could not be as accurate as the data taken from
two to three people. But given this, it does not make the claims on poverty,
food wastage, etc. less true. This reality is being thrown to our faces
whenever we cross the streets. Sometimes, they even come to you,
reaching out their hands, or staring at you while you are eating in Jollibee
or Mcdo.
But this issue of wastage is not only a problem of morality; it cannot
dissociate itself from the economic life of the world. Just recently, I was
able to read an article about food wastage. Very timely, just read it hours
before I pass this reflection paper.

The article has been published by

Rappler and it says that 1.3 billion tons of foods are wasted annually,
amounting to $750 billion of economic damage every year. Damage means
additional cost. I find it unreasonable for some to complain on how high
they pay for uncooked rice; and yet, they are also culprits for the problem of
rice wastage. The responsibility of solving this perennial problem is not on
the governments alone. If we took participation on the cause and
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aggravation of this crisis; if we are part of the whole which is going to be
affected; isnt it also right that we must be part of the solution, even in just
small simple ways? Imagine, 1/3 of global food production is wasted. That
is enough to feed millions of people! There really is enough for everyone.
But when it comes to wastage due to natural calamities, which inevitable
phenomena, this is a reasonable excuse.
Senator Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr.s Anti-Rice Wastage Act of
2013 was a very much needed policy, not just because 2013 was declared
National Year of Rice, but it is more of he reason that this problem has
been over-staying in the Philippines. We are not the first country to
implement such though, but that is not the issue. Now, if were to be called
gaya-gaya for this, its good. A major provision is imposing penalties on
establishments, hotels, inns, etc. who refuse to serve less than a cup of
rice to customers. Just like the guest economist said, this law offers
benefits. On the buyer, she said, they wouldnt have to pay for something
they wouldnt gain from, and they have the freedom to choose how much
they would like to eat.
We have good laws, just poor implementation. We have great minds,
just not used.

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