The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) have officially launched the program “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!”, which aims to provide rice at ₱20 per kilo exclusively for minimum wage earners.
Under this initiative, nearly 120,000 workers from over 500 companies nationwide are expected to benefit during the initial rollout. The program targets financial relief for low-income Filipinos and seeks to deliver on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s campaign promise of making affordable rice accessible to the working class.
According to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, the rice is sourced from the National Food Authority (NFA) and was purchased directly from local farmers — making the initiative a dual effort to uplift both workers and agricultural producers.
By offering rice at a subsidized rate, the program aims to ease the economic burden of everyday necessities while supporting domestic rice production. Officials stressed that this collaboration between the DA and DOLE serves as a significant step toward sustainable food security and inclusive economic development.
The government plans to expand the program gradually, with additional batches of companies and workers expected to be included in the following months.
