Bicol: More than 2,000 minimum wage earners from six provinces in the Bicol Region have benefited from the launch of the PHP20 per kg rice program "Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na" on Tuesday. Department of Labor and Employment Regional Director Imelda Gatinao stated that the program is crucial for meeting the needs of low-income workers.

According to Philippines News Agency, the program currently includes 2,404 workers, with an aim to reach 17,000. It has been rolled out in Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Sorsogon, Albay, Catanduanes, and recently in Masbate. The program is a collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, the National Food Authority (NFA), the Food Terminal Incorporated (FTI), and private sector employers.

Gatinao emphasized the efficiency of the distribution process, noting that FTI quickly issues the authority to release rice following a letter of intent from each employer. The NFA plays a crucial role by mobilizing its trucks for distribution, making access to rice easier.

She highlighted the collaboration as a "convergence in action," involving management, labor, and government. The BBM Rice program not only aids minimum wage earners in stretching their income but also provides essential support for a better quality of life.

The initiative is part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s broader efforts to combat hunger and promote food security by making affordable rice available to low-income workers and vulnerable sectors.