DA, DOLE launch P20/kg rice for minimum wage earners
The government's P20 per kilogram subsidized rice can now be availed by minimum wage earners as the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Friday launched the nationwide rollout of the initiative for the sector.
Late in May, the DA and DOLE announced their partnership to include minimum wage earners in the ongoing pilot run of the cheaper rice program.
The DOLE said nearly 120,000 minimum wage earners from more than 500 establishments nationwide will initially benefit from the DA-DOLE partnership, 'with numbers expected to grow as more companies join the program.'
'This isn't just about rice—it is about dignity. It is about proving that government can deliver for the Filipinos who need it most,' said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
'We are fulfilling President Marcos' promise of affordable food—subsidized for now, but ideally self-sustaining in the future through agricultural modernization,' added Tiu Laurel.
Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, for his part, said that expanding the program to include minimum wage earners will significantly advance the administration's goal of supporting the country's most vulnerable sectors.
'Yun naman ang gusto ng ating Pangulong Bongbong Marcos Jr., na ang lahat ay makinabang… Napakalaking bagay kung ang isang minimum wage earner ay makakabili rin ng bigas na P20 per kilo. Kung sampung kilo ang pwedeng bilhin... Mayroon siyang P100 o P200 na pwede niya namang mai-ukol sa iba pang mga bilihin, at siguro gaganda ang purchasing power po ng ating minimum wage earner,' said Laguesma.
(That is what our President Bongbong Marcos Jr. wants, that everyone benefit from this program… It would mean a lot for a minimum wage earner to have access to P20 per kilo rice. If he is allowed to purchase 10 kilos... he could save P100 or P200 that he could spend on other essentials. It would greatly improve his purchasing power.)
Known as 'Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!,' the program was first launched in Cebu on May 1, Labor Day.
The rice sold under the program is sourced from reserves purchased by the National Food Authority from local farmers.
Currently in its pilot phase running through December, the initiative aims to reach up to 14 million Filipinos, particularly vulnerable sectors such as solo parents, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and indigents.
President Marcos has ordered the DA to expand and sustain the program through the end of his term in 2028. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
6 hours ago
- GMA Network
21 PH gov't officials stranded in Israel arrive in PH
The 21 Filipino government officials who got stranded in Israel amid tensions with Iran arrived in Manila on Saturday morning. The officials — 17 local government officials who attended an agricultural technology training and four dairy industry specialists of the Department of Agriculture — were met at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 by Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla. Of the 17 officials, two were congressmen, nine mayors, four vice mayors, and two regional directors. It was an emotional homecoming for the stranded officials, as seen in a video taken by GMA Integrated News reporter Bea Pinlac. Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss earlier said the 21 Filipinos were attended to by the Israeli government. "All of them have been taken care of by the Israeli government, and we are also looking for ways to send them back to the Philippines. This is our responsibility and our commitment… I can tell you that they are getting fed, lodging, and whatever they need. We are catering for, and I know that they are doing fine. Of course, it's not a pleasant situation,' Fluss said. Agriculture Secretary Francisco "Kiko" Tiu Laurel Jr. earlier said the stranded Filipinos were fearful as their hotels were bombed. The officials took a land trip to Jordan, then went to Dubai for the flight back to Manila. —KG, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
16 hours ago
- GMA Network
PH raises alert level 3 in Israel and Iran, orders voluntary repatriation
A drone photo shows the damage over residential homes at the impact site following missile attack from Iran on Israel, in Tel Aviv, Israel, June 16, 2025. REUTERS/ Moshe Mizrahi The Philippine government on Friday raised crisis alert level 3 in Israel and Iran, urging Filipino workers there to avail of voluntary repatriation amid ongoing armed hostilities between the two Middle Eastern countries. Filipinos there should consider getting themselves and their dependents repatriated to avoid getting caught in the middle of ongoing clashes, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement. Crisis level 3 or voluntary repatriation phase is imposed by the Philippine government on countries with deteriorating security conditions. At least 30,000 workers, mostly caregivers, are in Israel, and more than 1,000 are in Iran. "All overseas Filipinos in Israel and Iran are enjoined to return to the Philippines," the DFA said. "Travel by Filipinos to both these countries is highly discouraged due to the ongoing crisis and the actual closure of their airspace and seaports." Those who wish to leave were advised by the DFA to contact the embassy to coordinate their repatriation. Security alert advisories, the DFA said, "will be subject to periodic review, taking into consideration the situation on the ground." Israel and Iran have traded missile strikes for a week, trapping civilians and foreign nationals on both sides of the conflict, triggering international alarm. ''The Department hopes that parties will cease hostilities soon," the DFA said. — VBL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
18 hours ago
- GMA Network
OFWs in US face higher remittance tax under Trump 'big' bill
Sandi Agustin counts dollars as she and many other overseas FIlipino workers (OFWs) in America brace for a potential rise in the US tax for money remitted to families in the Philippines under the administration of Donald Trump. DAVE LLAVANES JR. NEW YORK — Thousands of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the United States could soon be burdened with higher remittance costs if the proposed One Big, Beautiful Wall Act pushed by US President Donald Trump is enacted into law. Under the proposed measure, a 3.5% excise tax would be imposed on all money sent outside the US, including remittances to the Philippines. This means that non-US citizens sending money to their families back home could soon be paying significantly higher fees. For worker Sandi Agustin, who regularly sends money to relatives in the Philippines, the proposed tax is too heavy a burden. "For me, that's a big increase for ordinary workers like us here in America. Everyone knows that we don't just pick money up off the street here—we work hard for it. And instead of going entirely to our families, part of it will now go to taxes. It's really hard for us," Sandi told GMA Integrated News. Sandi sends money to her family in the Philippines about four times a month. Currently, she pays around $10 in transfer fees each time. But with the proposed excise tax, that amount could skyrocket to as much as $140 per month. "I usually send money weekly or bi-weekly. But if this tax becomes law, I might have to limit it to just once a month. If that's the rule, we'll follow it—we are law-abiding immigrants after all," she added. Arturo Reyes, a dialysis technician, shares Sandi's concern. He appealed to the US government to reconsider or reduce the proposed tax, especially since many Filipinos in America are already struggling to support families back home. According to Reyes, he typically pays $7 to send $1,000 to the Philippines. Under the new proposal, that fee could rise to $35 per $1,000 sent—a 500% increase. "That's a big deal for us because Filipinos here in America work double time just to send money home. I appeal to President Trump—please lower the 3.5%, make it even lower. I hope you understand the situation of all Filipinos here in America," Reyes said. Aside from higher fees, the proposed law also mandates stricter verification requirements for remittance centers, raising concerns that it might expose the immigration status of some senders, especially those who are undocumented. The United States remains the largest source of remittances to the Philippines, according to data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Last year alone, Filipino workers in the US sent about $14 billion back home. If passed, the One Big, Beautiful Wall Act could significantly impact the flow of remittances from the US, affecting countless Filipino families who rely on that financial lifeline for daily expenses, education, and medical needs. As of now, the bill is still pending in the US Congress, and many OFWs are closely watching developments, hoping for a more favorable outcome. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
