A total of 5,828 minimum wage earners availed of PHP20 per kilo of rice under the “Benteng Bigas, Meron (BBM) Na!” program that the national government rolled out May 1, 2025, celebrated as Labor Day.

Department of Labor and Employment-Ilocos Region (DOLE 1) information officer Jenny Mapile, in a phone interview on Tuesday, said bulk of the beneficiaries were in central Pangasinan with 3,963 minimum wage earners, followed by eastern Pangasinan with 1,575, and western Pangasinan with 290.

DOLE partners with the Department of Agriculture and National Food Authority (NFA) to bring affordable rice to the vulnerable sectors such as the elderly, persons with disabilities, solo parents and minimum wage earners.

The rice sold under the program is sourced from reserves purchased by the NFA from local farmers.

Earlier this year, distribution was already held in some parts of western Pangasinan.

In Alaminos City, 55 minimum wage earners of Great Plebeian College bought 10 kilos each on Jan. 13.

In Infanta, 130 minimum wage earners from four business establishment availed of the program on Jan. 14.

Mapile said there are employers who have applied this year for the program.

Once approved, a memorandum of agreement will be signed and the schedule of distribution to their employees will be set.

Employers may opt to subsidize the amount or collect payment at PHP20 per kilo at a maximum 10 kilos per minimum wage earner. (PNA)