Davao: More than 1,000 minimum wage earners across three provinces in the Davao Region benefited from the simultaneous launch of the government's PHP20 per kilogram rice program, known as "Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na."

According to Philippines News Agency, Department of Labor and Employment-Davao (DOLE-11) Regional Director Randolf Pensoy stated that 1,093 minimum wage earners from both non-agriculture and agriculture sectors were identified as beneficiaries of this initiative. In Tagum City, 365 members of the Unified Employees Multipurpose Cooperative gathered at the New City Hall Atrium to receive their subsidized rice. Similarly, 364 workers benefited in both Mati City, Davao Oriental, and Compostela, Davao de Oro.

The program, a flagship initiative of the Marcos administration, focuses on food security and aims to protect workers' welfare amid inflationary pressures. Pensoy highlighted that this initiative fulfills President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s campaign promise and aligns with the government's labor agenda by providing temporary relief to the working class through rice subsidies.

Allan Joseph Abapo, National Food Authority-Davao (NFA-11) regional manager, mentioned that the primary goal of the program is to support both minimum wage earners and farmers. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that the most vulnerable populations benefit from this initiative.

Another rollout of the 'BBM Na' rice program is planned for July 23 in Barangay Lacaron, Malita, Davao Occidental, where 200 members of the Malita Rural Workers Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multipurpose Cooperative will receive subsidized rice.