OVER 5,000 WORKERS ALL OVER BATANGAS RECEIVE RICE BAGS THROUGH BENTENG BIGAS MERON NA!’ PROGRAM

In a collaborative effort under the Benteng Bigas Meron Na! program, a total of 5,035 minimum wage earners from 21 participating private companies in Batangas received rice bags for the month of July 2025.

This collective initiative is made possible through the joint efforts of the Food Terminal Inc. (FTI), National Food Authority (NFA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Batangas, and various Local Government Units (LGUs).

Demonstrating dedication and teamwork amidst changing weather conditions, select DOLE employees and TUPAD beneficiaries from Rosario, Batangas, took part in repacking the rice to ensure timely and efficient distribution to the companies.

The program aims to support the daily needs of minimum wage earners by ensuring food security through the distribution of quality rice. The employees expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the rice bags delivered, which helps ease the burden of rising living costs.

Rice sacks are thoroughly inspected by NFA prior to withdrawal for quality assurance .   (Photo by / Arlene A. Garcia DOLE-BPO)

Over 1007 sacks of rice containing 50 kilograms of rice were withdrawn and repacked by DOLE-Batangas employees    (Photo by Arlene A. Garcia DOLE-BPO)

Ms. Jeziel Sarmiento, a mold polisher at Taihan Precision Technology (Philippines) Co., expressed her gratitude to the DOLE Batangas and its partners for providing affordable rice to breadwinners like her. 

“Salamat po sa inyo-DOLE at sa aming kompanya. Laking mura po ng bigas na ito compared sa nabibili sa mga tindahan, ang ma-sesave ko po ay pwede ko pa pong mailaan sa ibang bilihin sa bahay. Malaking bagay po ito para sa isang breadwinner na kagaya ko,” she remarked.   

Ms Jiezel Sarmiento, one of the Taihan employees benefited from the Benteng Bigas Meron na!   (Photo by Arlene A. Garcia DOLE-BPO)

According to Ms. Buena Umali, Human Resources Head of Tosoh Polyvin Corporation, the program is a significant help to employees, especially amid the rising prices of basic commodities like rice. She shared that one of the employees who received a rice bag expressed increased motivation to work, knowing that they are being supported through program like this. Ms. Umali also stated that their company is willing to continue participating in the program in the succeeding months.

The other participating companies are as follows:

1. Kohsai Contracting System Services, Inc.(Lipa City)

2. Mitsuba Phils. Corp. (LIMA Tech)

3. Avance Pilipinas Inc. (Sto Tomas City)

4. First Clean Manpower Services Inc. (Batangas City)

5. Stewards Manpower Supply and Services (Batangas City)

6. Covac Phils. (Batangas City)

7. Buildswell Construction and Trading (Batangas City)

8. NCA Manpower (Bauan, Batangas)

9. AGP Sales and Building Services Inc. (Batangas City)

10. Citimart Group of Companies (Batangas City)

11. MAPTAN Construction & Logistics (Ibaan, Batangas)

12. OB Kogyo (Philippines) Inc. (LIMA Tech)

13. Castorama Mainvest Services Specialist Inc.  (Batangas City)

14. Taihan Precision Technology (Philippines) Co. (LIMA Tech)

15.  United Labor Service Cooperatives (Nasugbu)

16. Windows of Heaven Construction & Services (Batangas City)

17. Natcorp. Career Growth & Manpower Services (Lima Tech)

18. Megatrend Workplace Management (Malvar)

19. Kongai Metal (LIMA Tech)

20. UNI-CITY General Merchandise Inc. (Batangas)

21.  Tosoh Polyvin Corporation (LIMA Tech)

Senior Labor and Employment Officer Ann Jelyn Natividad of the DOLE Batangas Labor Relations Unit, who also serves as the focal person for the 'Benteng Bigas Meron Na' program, continues to promote the initiative through information dissemination during labor education sessions among locators in Batangas.

Together with DOLE’s partner government institutions, volunteers, and TUPAD beneficiaries, repacking of rice bags will continue in the coming months.The private companies with minimum wage earners who wish to support their employees in availing "Benteng Bigas Meron Na!" quality and affordable rice may send their inquiries, through DOLE Batangas Labor Relations Unit at: dolebatangas.laborrelations@gmail.com.  

DOLE stands firm in its commitment — this effort not only supports companies but also lays the groundwork for sustainable access to affordable food, empowering the nation’s workforce for a stronger tomorrow.

ARLENE A. GARCIA (LEO III -ALI)