Minimum wage earners in the country may soon avail of the PHP20 per kilogram rice program dubbed “Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na” program, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Tuesday.

This came after the DA discussed the target partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to benefit more Filipinos with cheaper rice, in line with the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

The DA, through its Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) Centers and stalls, offers the PHP20/kg worth of “high quality” soon-to-age and aging well-milled rice stocks from the National Food Authority (NFA) to the members of the vulnerable sector, including the members of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWD), and solo parents.

In a statement, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the agreement was already “approved” in principle.

“This initiative stems from the President’s promise to extend the P20 rice program to those who need it most,” he said.

For his part, DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said he is looking forward to the said convergence, which will further empower minimum wage earners.

“We had a very good and fruitful discussion in our shared goal of helping our workers, particularly minimum wage earners. By including them in this rice program, we aim to improve their purchasing power,” he said.

Laguesma, however, said this will be limited to employees of companies interested in the pilot rollout of the BBM Na program.

To date, the “BBM Na” is available in 38 Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) sites in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and Mimaropa; while 16 local government units (LGUs) in Cebu are also rolling out the said program.

The first phase of “BBM Na” program intends to cover areas in Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental; Samar, Eastern Samar, and Northern Samar; Southern Leyte and Leyte; and Bohol, Antique, Cebu, Iloilo, Capiz Biliran; Guimaras, Siquijor, Aklan and Mindoro.

Phase 2 will be implemented starting in July in Zamboanga del Norte, Basilan, Cotabato City, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao, Davao Oriental, and Sorsogon; while the third and final phase will cover Sultan Kudarat, Lanao del Norte, Catanduanes, Agusan del Sur, Sarangani and Dinagat Islands. (PNA)