A total of 425 minimum wage earners from Yellow Bus Line, Inc. received affordable, well-milled rice under the second rollout of the Benteng Bigas, Meron Na! initiative of the Department of Labor and Employment Region XII, Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Food Authority (NFA), on July 22, 2025 in the City of Koronadal.

Around 84 sacks of NFA-certified rice were distributed through the support of the Yellow Bus Line Employees Multipurpose Cooperative and the Yellow Bus Line Employees Union.

“This is the second rollout of our P20 rice program. We are committed to sustaining this initiative for our workers in the region,” said DOLE 12 Regional Director Joel M. Gonzales, noting the program’s alignment with the Bagong Pilipinas campaign for accessible and high-impact government services.

NFA XII Regional Manager Maria Lewina Tolentino certified that the rice is fit for human consumption, well-milled, and sourced from local farmers. “Tayo ay maglilingkod ng matatag at mahusay, layunin naming ihatid ang abot-kayang bigas mula sa lokal na magsasaka para sa ating mga kababayan,” said RM Tolentino.

The DA Deputy Chief Abdulkadil Ango explained that the initiative falls under the third phase of the P20 Rice Program, and affirmed that coordination with rice farmers’ cooperatives is ongoing to ensure a continuous and sustainable supply.

Yellow Bus Line Employees Union President Ross Natividad expressed deep appreciation for the collaborative effort behind the program, highlighting how such government-led interventions provide relief to workers.

The program’s first rollout was held on June 13, 2025, at DolePhil in Polomolok, South Cotabato, where 700 workers received 140 sacks of locally sourced rice in partnership with the LEAD PH labor union, with each beneficiary allowed up to 10 kilograms.

With more rollouts being planned, DOLE 12 remains steadfast in its goal of delivering responsive and high-impact programs that benefit our workforce in Region XII.