The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is calling for establishments that are interested in availing of the Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na program this year.

DOLE Antique provincial director Ma. Cecilia Acebuque, in an interview on Wednesday, said they may coordinate with their office so their minimum wage workers could avail of the PHP20 per kilo rice.

“We are looking for establishments, especially in the northern part of Antique, that have not yet availed of the program,” she said.

Acebuque said that last year, the 16 establishments with 950 minimum wage workers which availed of the cheap and good quality National Food Authority (NFA) rice were mostly located in San Jose de Buenavista or the southern part of the province.

“Minimum wage workers can buy as much as 10 kilos of BBM rice for their consumption,” Acebuque said.

Meanwhile, Acebuque said they are already accepting requests from the local government units (LGUs) for the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.

“We have already received a request from San Remigio Mayor Margarito Mission Jr. for the TUPAD,” she said.

Once approved, the workers are expected to help in the construction of a pathway in the upland Barangay Banbanan to Rizal.

The pathway will enable the barangay residents to easily haul their agricultural products to the adjacent barangay.

Last year, the municipality of Laua-an availed of the program where workers helped in the vegetable gardening and establishment of fishponds. (PNA)