By Regine B. Elcullada

The Department of Labor and Employment, in partnership with the National Food Authority, Department of Agriculture, and Food Terminal Incorporated, officially launches the “Benteng Bigas Meron Na!” ₱20 rice program to provide affordable rice to minimum wage earners in Northern Mindanao. (Photo: MJP/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)—The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) together with the National Food Authority (NFA), Department of Agriculture (DA), and Food Terminal Incorporated (FTI) launched the ‘Benteng Bigas Meron Na!’ rice program in Northern Mindanao.

The program is a fulfillment of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s promise to make rice affordable and accessible to workers with minimum wages.

The launch held at the NFA Regional Warehouse in Barangay Tablon, this city, brought together government agencies and labor union representatives who welcomed the program as a crucial support for workers facing rising food costs.

Lawyer Joffrey M. Suyao, regional director of DOLE, said the program is designed to help minimum wage earners buy rice at a price they can afford.

Rice under the program is priced at ₱20 per kilo. The NFA maintains an inventory of over 440,000 bags stored across regional warehouses in Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, and Lanao del Norte to ensure supply.

NFA Assistant Regional Director Rejorie Onde assured beneficiaries of the rice’s quality and said the rice is sourced from local farmers in compliance with government policy.

Representatives from labor groups including the Federation of Free Workers, Del Monte Bugo Cannery Labor Union-AWATU, and Cagayan Corn Products Independent Union attended the event and expressed their support.

Suyao said the program’s success will depend on feedback from the workers and continued cooperation among government agencies.

According to DOLE, this program is seen as a key measure to ease the cost of living and improve the welfare of workers in northern Mindanao. (RBE/PIA-10)

Published Date: June 17, 2025