Minimum wage earners residing in Pampanga and other parts of Central Luzon may now buy rice at ₱20 per kilo following the launching of the “Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na!” program in Bacolor town.
The program is a project of the Department of Agriculture Region III (DA-3), National Food Authority (NFA), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the provincial government of Pampanga.
It is a realization of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s campaign promise of making rice available at P20 per kilo.
Around 1,000 workers of Superl Philippines Inc. were able to purchase up to 10 kilos of rice each at the subsidized rate.
Edgardo Lapuz, DA-3 director, said that the program was originally intended for vulnerable sectors like senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs) and solo parents.
It was later expanded to accommodate low-income earners in the country.
In Central Luzon, DOLE has identified around 7,000 minimum wage earners that can benefit from the program, said Geraldine Panlilio, the agency's Region 3 director.
The “Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na!” program is expected to be implemented in the country until 2028.