The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) have signed an agreement to include minimum wage earners as beneficiaries of the government’s P20 rice program.
According to DA Assistant Secretary for Special Concerns and Official Development Assistance, and spokesperson Engr. Arnel De Mesa, the agencies quickly reached a deal to make P20 rice accessible to ordinary workers.
Initial discussions between the DA and DOLE revealed that over 120,000 workers across the country are expected to benefit from the program.
Under the agreement, the DA will allow eligible workers to purchase up to 10 kilograms of P20 rice per month as additional aid for those struggling with low income.
De Mesa assured that the minimum wage earners who will be part of the program have already been verified, and the final distribution process is currently being ironed out for smoother implementation.
The number of beneficiaries may still increase, depending on DOLE’s recommendation and further evaluations.
De Mesa noted that an estimated 1.2 million kilograms of rice will be allocated for this sector alone.
This amount represents only a small portion of the 250,000 metric tons of buffer stock currently held by the National Food Authority (NFA), ensuring supply adequacy throughout the rollout.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has yet to announce whether the food security emergency declaration for rice has been lifted, which means it remains in effect.