Shiela Anne Marie S.

Santos
Communication III

PERSUASIVE SPEECH PLAN

Title: Should Unli-Rice Be Banned in the Food Service Industry?

Specific Speech Purpose: To obtain support from the audience on why unli-rice should not be
banned in the Philippines
Statement: Unlimited rice should be permitted in the food service industry due to the

INTRODUCTION

I. Attention Step: Last June 14, Senator Cynthia Villar urged the ban on unli-rice in restaurants
in the Philippines, and encouraged food establishments to eat more vegetables instead. Her
argument is that too much rice, especially white rice, increases the risk of diabetes due to the
increase of blood sugar. A study included in her argument says that the risk of acquiring diabetes
when consuming a plateful of rice daily increases by 11%. With the banning of unlimited rice,
she believes that Filipinos will have a better diet.
II. Clarification Step: If you have the same mindset as Senator Villar, this speech will hopefully
persuade you to change your mind for there are several factors to consider in banning unlimited
rice such as behavorial, cultural, and nutritional factors, which will be further discussed
throughout the speech.

BODY

I. There are behavioral and cultural factors that are needed to be taken into account on why
unlimited rice should be allowed in restaurants.
A. The behavior of an individual is hard to change. PROGRAM OF GOVT. TO EAT
ALTERNATIVE FOODS SUPPORT
GOLDEN RICE, BROWN RICE di pa rin kinakain ng Filipinos kahit mas nakakabusog
1. Studies have shown that factors that contribute to successful healthy behavioral
change depends on the individual himself/herself. Long-lasting change happens if
it is self-motivated and rooted in positive thinking. In the context of banning
unlimited rice, a change in the diet of the individual such as a decrease of rice
consumption will not result to a healthier diet since his/her behavior is not due to
his/her decision, but is because of the ban.
2. Change is a process that has different stages: precontemplation, contemplation,
preparation, action, and maintenance. Banning unlimited rice will not prepare the
individual in undergoing these stages, which will then result to the failure in
obtaining the goal of Senator Villars argument- to provide a healthier diet for
Filipinos.
B. Rice is part of the culture of Filipinos.
1. Rice is considered as the most important staple crop of the Philippines.
2. Rice employs 2.5 million households due to work for farmers, post-farm
activities, and ancillary activities.
II. Part of Senator Villars argument is the nutritional implications of consuming a great amount
of rice.
A. This is a misconception because, although rice contributes to the increase of blood
sugar, it is not the only factor in obtaining diabetes.
1. The most common type of diabetes is Type II Diabetes Mellitus. Obtaining this
type of diabetes is due to factors such as heritable genetics, physical inactivity,
smoking, and alcohol consumption.
2. Diet is considered as a modifiable risk factor for diabetes. Food items with high
glycemic index and saturated fat is positively associated with a higher risk of
T2DM.
B. There are alternatives that an individual can do to balance his/her consumption of rice.
1. One is by exercising daily.
2. Another is by planning his/her meal to take into account the energy and nutrient
intake of the individual to ensure that rice consumption would not lead to obesity.

CONCLUSION

Summary Step: The urge of Senator Villar to ban unlimited rice may be beneficial for the
country and for Filipinos, but rice should not be banned because of the behavioral, cultural, and
nutritional factors stated above. Unlimited rice can fill the empty stomachs especially the
marginalized Filipinos. Due to this, it should not be banned.

References:

Aguillar, F. V., Jr. (2005). Rice in the Filipino Diet and Culture. PIDS Discussion Paper Series.
Retrieved June 21, 2017, from http://dirp3.pids.gov.ph/ris/dps/pidsdps0515.pdf

Avendao, C. O. (2017, June 16). Cynthia Villar clarifies unli rice remarks. Inquirer. Retrieved
June 21, 2017, from http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/905990/cynthia-villar-clarifies-unli-rice-remarks

FAO. (n.d.). FAO Regional Rice Initiative Pilot Project Philippines. Retrieved June 21, 2017,
from
http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/agphome/scpi/Document_pdfs_and_images/Presentation
_RRI-Philippines.pdf

Harvard Health Publications (2007, January). Why it's hard to change unhealthy behavior - and
why you should keep trying. Retrieved June 20, 2017, from
http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/why-its-hard-to-change-unhealthy-behavior-
and-why-you-should-keep-trying

Prager, K. (2012). How to apply theories of behaviour change to SEWeb and related public
engagement activities. Understanding Behavior Change. Retrieved June 21, 2017, from
http://www.environment.scotland.gov.uk//media/16539/Understanding-Behaviour-Change.pdf

Time: 5-7 minutes