The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is urging the Philippines to enhance its support for other crops such as vegetables to promote healthier eating nationwide, potentially reversing at least billions or up to trillions of pesos in losses fueled by noncommunicable diseases.

FAO Representative in the Philippines Lionel Dabbadie said the typical diet of having rice combined with food that is either fried or cooked with excess oil only contributes to diseases such as diabetes and heart attack.

Dabbadie said the cost of these noncommunicable diseases for the Philippines is equivalent to seven percent of gross domestic product (GDP).

This is equivalent to around $33 billion or ₱1.88 trillion, based on the estimated nominal GDP of the country last year, at $471.5 billion, by the Washington-based International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Putting it bluntly, Dabbadie explained that these losses come from the country’s investments in education and social welfare programs, which are being wasted because those expected to return the investment have died from disease.

“We are talking about billions, and this could be resolved by promoting healthier food,” he said on the sidelines of the Second Global Symposium on Farmers’ Rights.

Dabbadie, who has been FAO’s representative in the country since 2013, acknowledged that while rice is culturally significant to the daily diet of Filipinos, promoting the country’s rich biodiversity should be the top priority of the government.

“Yes, rice is important, but we need to look at all the potentials of Philippine agriculture. And the potential goes much beyond only rice,” he said.

Dabbadie sees the importance of providing more support for vegetables grown in rural areas such as root crops and leafy greens.

The FAO official said allocating more funding to provide assistance to farmers of these produce would also make sure that the livelihood and income of farmers will remain strong.

He added that promoting other crops is important amid current limitations in rice production.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) earlier downscaled its outlook for palay, or unmilled rice, production for 2025, from a potentially record-breaking 20.46 million metric tons (MT) to only between 20.09 million MT and 20.39 million MT.

The adjustment comes after recent weather disturbances, particularly widespread flooding in key agricultural areas.

Dabbadie, however, noted that this lower estimate could still be out of reach if the government fails to provide adequate support for farmers to improve their productivity.

“The yields in the Philippines are relatively low compared to neighboring countries, and there is no reason for this,” said Dabbadie.

“So definitely if you put the right enabling environment, you can increase the production for better yields in the country,” he added.