Antique: An initial group of 105 minimum wage earners in Antique took advantage of the PHP20 per kilogram rice offer during the launch of the 'Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na!' program in the capital town on Friday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Antique Provincial Director Ma. Cecilia Acebuque stated that the program is a realization of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s promise to provide affordable yet quality rice at the rate of PHP20 per kg. To support this initiative, DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma Jr. collaborated with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Food Authority (NFA) to benefit minimum wage workers across various regions, including Antique.

In Antique, DOLE has identified four business establishments to participate in the program: Unitop General Merchandise, Inc. with 50 workers, San Jose City Square Traders with 15 workers, ATON Marketing with 20 workers, and Antique Electric Cooperative (Anteco) Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative with 20 workers. Workers in these establishments were able to purchase a maximum of 10 kilograms of rice each.

NFA Acting Assistant Regional Director Herrielle Jumagbas assured attendees that the rice provided under the program is of good quality and is produced by local farmers. City Square Antique auditor Jean Segovia highlighted the program's benefits for employees, noting that the savings from purchasing cheaper rice could be redirected to other needs, as employees do not receive meal allowances.

One beneficiary, Cyrus Tubeza from Barangay Bariri in San Jose de Buenavista, expressed his gratitude for the program. As the family's breadwinner following his father's death and his mother's retirement, Tubeza found relief in being able to purchase rice for family consumption at an affordable price. He continues to support his mother and younger brother in their educational endeavors.