TACLOBAN CITY– The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-8) reported that around 3,000 minimum wage earners from Tacloban City benefited from its “Bente’ng Bigas Meron Na” program held on October 15, 2025, at the Leyte Convention Center in Pawing, Palo, Leyte.
In a statement, DOLE-8 said the initiative was implemented through its North Leyte Field Office (NLFO) in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA), National Food Authority (NFA), and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tacloban-Leyte, Inc. (PCCI-TLI).
The program enabled minimum wage earners from various private establishments to purchase 10 kilos of rice for only P200, as part of the government’s continuing efforts to help workers cope with the rising cost of living.
DOLE-8 Assistant Regional Director Atty. Joan Noya-Nidua said the initiative reflects the agency’s commitment to support the welfare of workers by improving their access to affordable basic commodities.
“Ang inisyatibong ito ay hindi lamang simpleng pagbebenta ng bigas. Ito ay nagpapakita ng ating layunin na mapagaan ang pasanin ng mga manggagawa sa pamamagitan ng pagtitiyak na makakauwi sila ng abot-kaya at de-kalidad na bigas para sa kanilang pamilya,” Noya-Nidua said.
Also present during the activity were Board Member Wilson Uy, representing Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho L. Petilla; Hon. Pipes Ygrubay, representing Palo Mayor Remedios L. Petilla; Engr. Hillet B. Diaz, NFA Leyte Branch Manager; Mrs. Mercedita Lasquite, representing DA OIC-Regional Director Rodel Macapañas; and Eugene A. Tan, PCCI-TLI President.
In his message, Tan lauded DOLE and its partner agencies for their continued support to the local labor sector, describing the workers as the “core of the economy” in Tacloban City and the greater Eastern Visayas region.
According to DOLE-8, similar rice distribution activities will continue in other parts of the region as part of its broader social protection and livelihood initiatives for minimum wage earners.
(LIZBETH ANN A.ABELLA)
