By JANDI ESTEBAN, GMA Regional TV News

The Department of Labor and Employment-Davao (DOLE-11), in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA) XI, launched the P20-per-kilo rice program in Hagonoy, Davao del Sur on Thursday, June 13, 2025.

A total of 4,000 kilos of rice were repacked and sold to 400 minimum wage workers employed at a sugarcane farm under the Davao Mill District Development Council Foundation, Inc., which also serves as the partner organization for the program’s launch.

DOLE-11 Director, Atty. Randolf Pensoy, said the affordable rice initiative is currently available to vulnerable sectors, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

However, DOLE aims to extend the program’s reach to include minimum wage earners.

Employers, labor organizations, or workers’ associations interested in availing of the program must sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Food Terminal Inc. (FTI).

Once the agreement is in place, FTI will purchase rice from the National Food Authority (NFA) and distribute it to the beneficiaries for P20 per kilo. —GMA Regional TV News

Published Date: June 15, 2025