Minimum wage earners in Caraga benefit from ‘Benteng Bigas’ program
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) —The program of “Benteng Bigas Meron Na!” has helped the minimum wage earners in Caraga region.
Attorney Jason P. Balais, regional director of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Caraga said as he shared the proactive efforts of the agency to support minimum wage workers amid rising living costs, during an interview with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga.
The program allows qualified workers to purchase up to 10 kilos of rice per month at only P20 per kilo, a significant relief compared to current market prices.
He urged other companies employing minimum wage earners that have not participated in the Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na! rice subsidy program of the government to coordinate with DOLE Caraga so their workers may benefit from this achievement of the current administration.
“As part of our commitment to uplifting the welfare of our workers, especially those earning minimum wage, we call on employers to coordinate with our office to help facilitate this benefit for their employees,” said Dir. Balais.
As of July 31, 2025, DOLE Caraga has conducted 17 distribution activities in collaboration with 14 companies across the region. Three companies have already availed twice. These efforts aim to improve food security among laborers and support the broader goal of social protection championed by the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
In his recent State of the Nation Addresses (SONAs), Pres. Marcos Jr. underscored the importance of providing accessible and affordable food for every Filipino, especially the working class. The BBM rice program, he emphasized, is a practical intervention that directly improves the lives of ordinary citizens.
One of the program beneficiaries, Edgar Allan Aquino, union president of Bachelor Express, Inc. Butuan City, shared how the program has positively impacted his household.
“Nagpasalamat ko sa gobyerno ug sa DOLE tungod sa BBM rice subsidy. Ingon nga usa ka minimum wage earner nga adunay pamilya, dako kaayo ni’g tabang sa among panginabuhi. Lami ang bugas, humot, ug nindot nga variety. Makaingon gyud ka nga kalidad nga bugas bisan barato,” Aquino shared, noting that he has already availed of the program twice.
(I thank the government and DOLE for the BBM rice subsidy. As a minimum wage earner with a family, this has been a big help in our daily living. The rice tastes good, smells nice, and is of good quality. You can really say it’s premium rice even if it’s affordable.)
Balais also shared the convenient process for companies to avail of this initiative. “The process is simple and accessible, and employers are assured of full assistance from DOLE’s regional and provincial offices.”
He added, for inquiries and coordination, companies may reach out to DOLE Caraga through its official contact lines or visit the nearest DOLE provincial field offices.
The rice program on BBM Na! forms part of the government’s ongoing campaign to enhance the economic resilience of Filipino workers amid inflation and supply chain disruptions. It also reflects a strong public-private partnership in delivering responsive and meaningful labor programs. (NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte)