P20 per kilo rice now accessible to minimum wage earners in Western Visayas

The government’s Php 20 per kilogram Rice Project dubbed as Benteng Bigas Meron Na! will now be benefiting minimum wage earners in Western Visayas following the launching, spearheaded by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) Western Visayas, on June 13 at the National Food Authority (NFA) Region 6 Compound in Jaro, Iloilo City.

This joint initiative seeks 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 Php 20 per kilogram. DA’s Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) shouldered the funding for the subsidy.

According to DOLE Region 6 Assistant Regional Director Melisa Navarra, the pilot implementation, to run from June to December 25, will 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.

DOLE is launching the Php 20 per kilo Rice Project for the minimum wage workers simultaneously nationwide. Navarra said that the pilot implementation will run starting June and is expected to be rolled out in 2026.

She quoted DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, emphasizing the program’s significance. “It’s a huge help if minimum wage earners can buy rice at Php 20 per kilo. If they’re allowed to purchase up to 10 kilos, that gives them Php 100 to Php 200 in savings, which they can use for other basic needs. This will certainly boost their purchasing power.”

Navarra added that while DOLE does not provide direct cash assistance, it plays an important role in coordinating the program’s implementation and identifying eligible beneficiaries. The BBM Rice Project stems from the President’s promise to make rice affordable and accessible to most vulnerable sectors.

Meanwhile, DA Western Visayas’ OIC-Regional Technical Director Maria Teresa Solis said that although NFA rice is priced at Php 29 per kilogram, beneficiaries under the program only pay Php 20 per kilogram with the price difference covered by subsidies from DA-FTI and local government units.

RTD Solis explained that implementation mechanisms vary depending on partnerships. “We are thankful to DOLE, NFA, and private employers for supporting this program.”

NFA Iloilo Acting Branch Manager Dr. Glenda Paz highlighted how the program simultaneously supports Filipino farmers and consumers. “We are grateful that the rice we sourced out 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 Php 20 lang. Barato na na. Ang iban namon nga sweldo pwde pa namon ma-usar sa iban nga kinahanglanon sang pamilya,” said Rolando Casipe, 58, construction worker at C.B. Garay Philwide Builders.

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, Php 55 gid ang kilo.”

NFA’s efforts to shift public perception and emphasize support for local farmers were underscored in this collaborative effort. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to making affordable, high quality rice accessible, advocating support for local produce and continued partnership with national agencies including DA and DOLE as well as local government units.### Text and Photos by Sheila Mae Toreno/DA-RAFIS 6