The Daily Tribune
DoLE clarifies: P20 rice program not wage hike substitute
Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma clarified that the government's P20 rice program is not intended to substitute a potential wage increase for minimum wage earners.
Laguesma stated that the 'Benteng Bigas Meron Na!' program is a separate initiative meant to provide immediate relief while a proposed P200 wage hike bill is still under deliberation in Congress.
The labor secretary explained that the pilot phase of the rice program, running from June to December, will help identify and address potential issues before a wider rollout in 2026.
This clarification comes after criticism from Joshua Mata, Secretary General of the Alliance of Progressive Labor, who argued that the rice subsidy is not a sustainable solution compared to the urgent need for a wage increase.
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