Manila: Minimum wage earners on Friday expressed delight as they availed of the PHP20 per kilogram of National Food Authority (NFA) rice during the first day of the simultaneous program expansion of the 'Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na' nationwide. This is part of the government's campaign to make rice affordable and accessible to more Filipinos in line with the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
According to Philippines News Agency, Janno Bargola, 25, a father and a night-shift worker in Manila Harbor Center, made sure to access the cheaper rice even though the official launching was outside his duty hours. Bargola highlighted the significant impact the program has on his family, allowing him to save money for other necessities. He noted that the 10-kg monthly purchase limit for minimum wage earners would be significant, especially as he resides with an extended family of 25 in a single household. However, he suggested that increasing the buying limit could provide even more assistance.
Riza Alonzo, 34, a minimum wage earner and a single mom of two, also praised the program initiated by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and expressed hope that it would be sustained. She estimated a savings of PHP25 per kg. under the BBM Na rice program, comparing it to her usual purchases.
Bargola and Alonzo are among the 800 workers who first accessed the PHP20 per kg. rice program in Metro Manila. As of Friday, around 16,000 minimum wage earners from about 100 companies have been included under the program across the country, according to the Department of Labor and Employment.
Initial rollouts have occurred in several locations, including the National Capital Region - Administration Building, Manila Harbor Center; Baguio City Eco Zone in Loakan, Baguio City; Aureo Hotel in San Fernando City, La Union; and various other sites. The Ilocos Region logged the highest number of recipients on the first day of expansion, benefiting 3,000 workers from 54 companies; followed by Northern Mindanao with 2,000 farmers from three establishments; and Central Visayas with 1,820 employees from five companies.
Labor Undersecretary Benjo Benavidez stated that 120,000 minimum wage earners are expected to avail of the program from around 500 establishments. DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. added that minimum wage earners who are part of the vulnerable sector would also be allowed to buy cheaper rice in Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) centers and stores. Vulnerable sectors, including members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and solo parents, have been allocated 30 kg monthly purchases each.
Overall, minimum wage earners who are members of the vulnerable sector may avail of 40 kg. per month from their respective companies and through the KNP stores. The DA and DOLE are still finalizing the mechanism to be used in terms of logistics, payment, and distribution of BBM Na rice to the sector.
