In support of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.’s flagship initiative Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na! – P20 Rice Project, the Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office XI (DOLE XI) has commenced the regional rollout of the Php20.00-per-kilo rice program exclusively for minimum wage earners (MWEs) in the Davao Region.
This initiative, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture XI (DA XI), the National Food Authority (NFA), and Food Terminal, Inc. (FTI), began on July 21, 2025 in the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, and Davao de Oro, reaching a total of 1,093 minimum wage earners. The rollout continues on July 23, 2025 in Davao Occidental, where another 200 workers are expected to benefit.
A total of 1,293 minimum wage earners benefitted from the initial wave of the program. In Tagum City, Davao del Norte, 365 workers from the Unified Employees Multipurpose Cooperative (UEMPC) participated in the program. In Mati City, Davao Oriental, 364 employees of ER Superstore received their rice allocation, while in Compostela, Davao de Oro, 364 members of BAPAPWOCO Multipurpose Cooperative were served. Meanwhile, in Malita, Davao Occidental, 200 members of the Malita Rural Workers Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multipurpose Cooperative will avail of the subsidized rice.
Each qualified worker was allowed to purchase up to 10 kilograms of well-milled NFA rice (25% broken, aged over three months) at the subsidized rate of Php20 per kilo, significantly easing their household expenses.
“Naa na gyud ang benteng bigas (The 20-peso rice is finally here),” said Mr. Evaristo P. Cataluna, Chairperson of UEMPC, who expressed gratitude on behalf of his fellow beneficiaries. He also emphasized how the project could help ease their household expenses. “Dako kaayo ming pasalamat sa DOLE kay kami ang unang nakabenepisyo sa maong programa. Unta daghan pa’ng laing grupo ang matagaan usab (We are deeply grateful to DOLE for choosing us as the initial beneficiaries of this program. We hope that other groups will also be given the opportunity),” Mr. Cataluna added.
To facilitate proper implementation, employers, labor organizations, or workers’ associations are required to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with FTI. Through this arrangement, FTI procures rice from NFA and distributes it to partner organizations or employers, who then make it available for purchase by their workers at the government-subsidized rate.
Speaking during the ceremonial distribution in Tagum City, DOLE XI Regional Director Atty. Randolf C. Pensoy underscored the program’s significance in the broader effort to support workers amid rising costs of living. He said, “This initiative is a concrete step in easing the everyday burden of our minimum wage earners. Through this interagency collaboration, we are making quality rice more accessible and strengthening our commitment to protect workers’ welfare.”
The ceremonial distribution was also attended by Regional Director Allan Joseph P. Abapo of NFA XI, Mr. Andrei Bonn M. Sumalpong, Branch Manager of NFA Davao del Norte, and Ms. Mary Juvy M. Pregon, Marketing Specialist II of DA XI, who expressed full support for the program’s rollout in the region.
“DOLE ang nag-una gyud diri sa Region 11 sa project (DOLE was truly the first to implement the project here in Region 11),” said Ms. Pregon, highlighting that DOLE XI was the first to partner with the DA to roll out the rice project for minimum wage earners. She also delivered the message on behalf of DA XI Regional Executive Director Macario D. Gonzaga.
“Pinaagi sa atong partner, ang UEMPC, dili lang kini saad sa atong presidente (Through our partner, the UEMPC, this is not just a promise of our President), but a promise fulfilled for affordable rice. The P20 Rice Project is designed to strengthen food security efforts and reduce the burden of high rice prices for low-income earners across the region,” she read.
“Maswerte po kayo na makaka-avail ng P20 Rice Project. Sana po magtuluy-tuloy itong programa para sa inyo. Tuluy-tuloy din po sana nating suportahan ang programa ng gobyerno, lalo na ang ating mga magsasaka na nagtatanim ng ating bigas. Tulungan po natin ang bawat sektor (You are fortunate to benefit from the P20 Rice Project. I hope this program continues for you. Let us also continue to support our government’s programs, especially those for our farmers who grow our rice. Let us help every sector),” said RD Abapo, encouraging everyone to support all sectors for inclusive economic growth.
The roll-out across the provinces were led by DOLE XI Provincial Heads – Chief Erlinda G. Mamitag of DOLE-Davao del Norte Field Office, Neil Allan R. Baban of DOLE-Davao de Oro Field Office, Rodolfo T. Castro, Jr. of DOLE-Davao Oriental Field Office. Meanwhile, Chief Paul V. Cruz of DOLE-Davao Occidental Field Office will lead the distribution on July 23, 2025 in Malita, Davao Occidental.
The BBM Na! – P20 Rice Project will continue across the Davao Region until December 2025, with DOLE XI targeting to reach 30,000 minimum wage earners by the end of the year. It was launched in Davao Region on June 13, 2025 in Hagonoy, Davao del Sur, serving 400 sugarcane planters and field workers.
