PBBM's 'Biyayang Bigas' delivers rice direct to Manila jobsites
Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno" Domagoso said the city government deliberately brings rice distribution directly to workplaces instead of central sites to avoid disrupting business operations and employees’ daily routines.
Rice assistance for Manila’s working class continued Monday, April 20, as Domagoso personally led the distribution of 10-kilogram packs of commercial rice to workers at a McDonald’s branch along UN Avenue–Pedro Gil, under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s “Biyayang Bigas para sa Maynila” program.
He also underscored the importance of the working class in driving the city’s economic activity.
“This is for our working class in the City of Manila, and we are very proud of you because of what you’re doing for the companies that you serve,” he said.
The ongoing rollout is part of the city’s target to reach around 80,000 individuals and workers in Manila, funded by a P286-million allocation from the Office of the President through the Financial Assistance to Local Government Units (FALGU) program.
The mayor also described the initiative as part of efforts to cushion the impact of global economic pressures, including the ongoing Middle East conflict, which has contributed to rising prices of basic commodities and increased strain on household budgets, particularly among wage earners.
Workers who previously received rice assistance during an earlier distribution at SM City Manila said the program has provided meaningful relief to their daily expenses.
The program was formally launched on April 16 at SM City Manila by President Marcos and Mayor Domagoso, with the President expressing hope that the initiative would contribute to addressing hunger in the country before the end of his term.
President Marcos also praised Manila’s early rollout of national government programs, noting the city’s responsiveness.