Minimum wage earners in Western Visayas now have access to the P20 per kilogram rice project of the government, as the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-6) launched on June 13 the “Benteng Bigas Meron Na!” (BBM Na) at the National Food Authority (NFA-6) Compound in Jaro, Iloilo City.

This joint initiative aimed to ease the burden of rising food prices among low-income workers, who could purchase up to 10 kilograms of NFA rice monthly at a subsidized price of P20 per kilo.

The DA-Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) shouldered the funding for the subsidy.

According to DOLE-6 Assistant Regional Director Melisa Navarra, the pilot implementation is set to serve 4,500 minimum wage workers from 33 companies in Western Visayas, including construction firms, manpower agencies, and members of the Tripartite Industrial Peace Council and Human Resource Network.

Citing DOLE’s launching the P20 per kilo rice project for the minimum wage workers simultaneously nationwide, Navarra said that the project would run from June to December 25 this year and is expected to be rolled out in 2026.

Navarra added that while DOLE does not provide direct cash assistance, it plays a key role in coordinating the program’s implementation and identifying eligible beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, DA-6 OIC-Regional Technical Director Maria Teresa Solis said the BBM Rice Project stems from the President’s promise to make rice affordable and accessible to the most vulnerable sectors.

Although NFA rice is priced at P29 per kilogram, beneficiaries under the program only pay P20, with the price difference covered by subsidies from DA-FTI and local government units.

Solis explained that implementation mechanisms vary depending on partnership agreements. 

“We are thankful to DOLE, NFA, and private employers for supporting this program,” noted Solis.

NFA Iloilo Acting Branch Manager Glenda Paz highlighted how the program simultaneously supports Filipino farmers and consumers.

“We are grateful that the rice we sourced solely from local farmers will reach vulnerable sectors, including the minimum wage earners. Affordable and good quality rice meets the needs of the people who need it the most,” she said.

“Ang presyo nagnubo sa P20 lang. Barato na na. Ang iban namon nga sweldo pwede pa namon ma-usar sa iban nga kinahanglanon sang pamilya,” said the 58-year-old construction worker at C.B. Garay Philwide Builders Rolando Casipe.

(The price went down to P20 only. It is affordable. Some parts of our wages can be used for other needs of the family.)

Herman Ollano, also an employee of the C.B. Garay Philwide Builders, shared “Para sa amon nga mga minimum wage nga trabahante, daku gid ni ang mabulig sa amon. Kay sa sagwa nga bugas, P55 gid ang kilo.”

(For us who are minimum wage earners, this is a big help because the price of rice outside [in the market] is at P55 per kilo.)

In a statement, NFA reaffirmed its commitment to making affordable, high-quality rice accessible, while advocating support for local produce and continued partnership with national agencies, including DA and DOLE, as well as local government units.AAL/AGP/PIA 6 with reports from DA Western Visayas