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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DOLE raises sustainability concern over rising ₱20 rice demand

DOLE raises sustainability concern over rising ₱20 rice demand

Published Jul 1, 2025 02:09 pm

At A Glance

  • The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) raised concern over the sustainability of the ₱20-per-kilo rice program.
  • More than 16,000 minimum wage earners from over 100 companies benefited from the pilot rollout in June.
  • The number of beneficiaries is expected to grow in the coming months.
  • Minimum wage earners may buy up to 10 kilos of rice per month at ₱20 per kilo through salary deduction.
  • The initiative, implemented in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA), will run its pilot phase until December.
  • Nationwide rollout is targeted by 2026.
With more minimum wage earners availing of the government’s ₱20-per-kilo rice program, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Tuesday, July 1, raised concern over the initiative’s sustainability amid preparations for its expanded rollout.
Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said more than 16,000 minimum wage earners from over 100 companies benefited from the pilot rollout in June, with the number expected to increase as the program continues in July and beyond.
“Lumalaki ngayon ang bilang [ng mga benepisyaryo], at ang hamon sa amin ay ang sustainability (The number [of beneficiaries] is growing, and the challenge for us is sustainability),” Laguesma said, underscoring the need to expand the program while ensuring its viability ahead of full implementation in 2026.
Jointly launched by DOLE and the Department of Agriculture (DA), the program allows minimum wage earners to purchase up to 10 kilos of rice per month at ₱20 per kilo, coordinated through their employers and DOLE regional offices.
Payment is made through salary deduction with the workers’ prior consent.
Laguesma assured that mechanisms are in place to prevent long queues and avoid disruptions to business operations.
He clarified that the rice is not being distributed for free but is subsidized, intended to complement existing labor benefits and ease workers’ food expenses without replacing mandated support.
Some employers have also started including canned goods in the distribution, which Laguesma described as “commendable” and aligned with the goal of improving workers’ access to basic necessities.
The DA has committed to providing sufficient rice stocks for the program’s pilot phase, which runs until December, as both agencies monitor operational issues and prepare for a nationwide rollout.
Laguesma urged more employers to coordinate with DOLE regional offices to enroll their minimum wage workers, emphasizing the importance of inter-agency coordination and private sector involvement in sustaining the initiative.
“This effort reflects President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to implement people-centered, coordinated programs that directly respond to the needs of our labor force,” he added.

Related Tags

DPWH DA P20 rice program minimum wage earners subsidized rice
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