The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) officially kicked off the “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” Program, offering P20 per kilo to minimum wage earners.
On Friday, June 13, RH 29 Boy Gonzales reported that the program was launched at the Manila Harbour Center in Mel Lopez Boulevard in Tondo, Manila. According to the report, the lowered price of rice is a big relief to minimum wage workers.
DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in an interview at the Manila Harbour Center that the program aims to reduce costs for those with limited budgets and those who belong to the vulnerable sector.
Minimum wage earners can directly purchase the P20 per kilo rice from their respective companies, the DA and DOLE clarified. Meanwhile, senior citizens, pregnant women, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and members of the 4Ps may purchase rice at the Kadiwa Centers.
DOLE stated that around 120,000 minimum wage earners nationwide were pre-listed to benefit from the program. However, individuals in the said sector have a purchase limit of 10kg of rice per month.
Although this is only the program’s pilot run, Laurel said they would expand its reach in the coming days so that more individuals can purchase rice at a lower cost.
Last May, the DA announced in an ambush interview at Muntinlupa City that it would roll out the pilot run of its “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” program in June. The program is aligned with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s campaign promise of lowering rice prices.
"These workers are part of the organizations or companies na willing to join the pilot test. But of course itong ginagawa natin, 'di naman ibig sabihin na limitado don," Laurel said.
