A total of 186 minimum wage earners from three local establishments in Masbate province availed themselves of PHP20-per-kilo rice earlier this week through the “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” program.

In a report on Thursday, DOLE-5 (Bicol Region) Director Imelda Gatinao said the program aims to mitigate the impact of rising prices on low-income workers and help employers provide them with access to affordable rice.

Through the initiative, each worker was able to purchase up to 10 kilograms of rice at their respective workplaces.

“This program is a great help for our workers, especially low-income earners who are directly affected by the rise in the price of goods. Through the support of our partner employers, we are enabling them to buy affordable rice for their families,” she said.

The program continues to be implemented across the region as part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s food security agenda, which aims to keep rice prices affordable while improving farm-to-market systems.

Meanwhile, the region’s National Food Authority (NFA-5) reported that more than 47,000 bags of 50-kilogram rice were distributed under the Benteng Bigas Program throughout the region from June 2025 to date.

Among the NFA branches, the Albay branch, covering Catanduanes, distributed 25,453 sacks; Camarines Sur, also covering Camarines Norte, dispensed 11,046; and Sorsogon, which also covers Masbate, distributed 10,629 bags of rice.

The agency has also opened its offices to individuals seeking to purchase affordable rice at its locations in the cities of Legazpi and Tabaco in Albay province; Virac, Catanduanes; Pili, Camarines Sur; Daet, Camarines Norte; Cabid-an, Sorsogon City; and Masbate City.

Eligible recipients include senior citizens, persons with disabilities, indigent households or 4Ps beneficiaries, farmers, fisherfolk, and jeepney and tricycle drivers.

They can purchase Benteng Bigas Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and must present a valid identification card as proof of sector membership. (PNA)