Affordable rice promised for low-income worker fulfilled

By Sally Atento – Altea

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay --- For Maribel Bonayon Dasalla, 29, a mother and one of the low-income workers in Albay, the “Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na” program is more than just a government rice subsidy; it is a lifeline for her family.

“Before, I could only afford about five kilos of rice at ₱60 per kilo. But now, with the ₱20 per kilo rice, I can buy 10 kilos for just ₱200. It’s a huge relief for our weekly budget,” Dasalla said.

Dasalla and her husband, both minimum-wage earners, work hard to support their family and raise their child, who has just started attending daycare. Like many others, they struggle with the high cost of food.

Lowering the price of rice, a staple food for most Filipinos, was a promise made by President Marcos during his 2024 State of the Nation Address (SONA).

“Hindi tayo titigil sa paglalaban sa kahirapan, at sa paghahanap ng lunas upang maibalik sa normal ang presyo ng bilihin — lalo na ang bigas,” Marcos said during his address.

The rice subsidy from the program has greatly helped the Dasalla family with their daily expenses.

“Dati po yung sahod ko sakto-sakto lang ngayon po may tirang pera sa sahod na maaring magamit sa iba pang bilihin, nakatipid po talaga ako,” Dasalla said.

(Previously, my wages only covered the essentials. Now, I have some left over for additional necessities, and I’ve saved a lot.)

She thanked President Marcos, hoping the program would continue and benefit more workers like her who depend on minimum wage to support their families.

“Maraming salamat po kay President Marcos. Sana po magpatuloy pa po ang ganitong programa lalo na po sa aming mga minimum wage earners,” Dasalla added.

(I would like to express my gratitude to President Marcos. I hope that programs like this continue, especially for employees like us who are minimum wage earners.)

The availability of rice at ₱20 per kilo was made possible for minimum wage earners through a partnership between the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Department of Agriculture, the National Food Authority, and Food Terminal Inc.

Ching Banania, the DOLE Technical Support Service Division chief for Bicol, reported that as of July 2025, the program has benefited 691 workers, including 500 from the Liberty Commercial Center and 191 from Makapa Corp.

For this year, Banania announced that 3,243 minimum wage earners from 27 establishments in Albay are expected to benefit from the program, with a projected rice distribution totaling 32,430 kilos until December.

“We continue to implement the BBM Na program. Currently, the province of Albay is targeting 3,243 individuals, which amounts to 32,430 kilos of rice,” said Banania.

To sustain and expand the program, Banania urged more employers to support and include their minimum wage workers in this initiative.

“We encourage all establishments with minimum wage earners to participate in this program. This will help us continue supporting our workers in accessing rice at ₱20 per kilo, with up to 10 kilos available per month for each minimum wage earner,” Banania added. (Raiza Lucido contributed to this report/PIA Bicol/Albay)