Over 3K low-income Albay workers get access to P20/kg rice

By Sally Atento-Altea

LEGAZPI CITY --- More than 3,000 minimum wage earners in Albay can now access the government’s Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na program, which has officially launched in the province, offering rice at just P20 per kilo.

Launched in response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to provide affordable and quality rice to Filipino households, the BBM rice initiative is set to benefit 3,243 low-income workers in the province.

Gary Alta, a minimum wage earner who takes home ₱415 daily, referred to the program as a “relief” for his family.

“I am happy and thankful that we are part of the first batch of beneficiaries. It’s a big help,” said Alta, who works as a mall employee and is now eligible to purchase up to 10 kilos of well-milled rice per month at P20 per kilo, which is significantly lower than the current market price of P45 to P55 per kilo.

“P200 na lang ang 10 kilos. Malaki na ang matitipid, may pambayad pa ako sa ibang bayaran (10 kilos cost only P200. The savings are huge),” said Kirsten delos Santos, an LCC warehouse helper.

Delos Santos and Alta are among 500 employees from Liberty Commercial Center (LCC) branches in the region chosen for the initial rice program rollout, which is expected to expand to other provinces in the coming days.

Romeo Tan, executive director of LCC Inc., expressed gratitude for the initiative and pledged ongoing support for government programs aimed at enhancing the quality of life for Filipinos.

“The Benteng Bigas Meron Na program is a significant initiative aimed at promoting affordable living, particularly for minimum wage earners. I am very grateful for this partnership,” he said.

Ching Banania, the DOLE’s provincial director for Albay, confirmed that a total of 3,243 minimum wage earners from 27 business establishments province-wide will benefit from this program. The rice subsidy is set to continue until December 2025.

“Nakakataba ng puso na ang Province of Albay ang magiging pilot area ng (It warms my heart that the Province of Albay will be the pilot area for the) Benteng Bigas Meron Na program. This program will also be expanded to other provinces in the region,” Banania said.

The BBM Na program is a collaborative effort involving the DOLE, the Department of Agriculture (DA), Food Terminal Incorporated (FTI), and the National Food Authority (NFA).

In addition to direct distribution to beneficiaries, rice priced at P20 per kilo will also be available at selected Kadiwa stores and partner establishments in the province. (PIA5/Albay)