Laoag City, Aug. 1 -- A total of 265 minimum wage earners in the province of Ilocos Norte availed of the PHP20/kg. rice during the launch of the "Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na" program here Thursday.

Janelyn Martin, head of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Ilocos Norte confirmed this to the Philippine News Agency on Friday as she reported that DOLE, in coordination with the Department of Agriculture, National Food Authority, Food Terminal Inc. and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI)-Ilocos Norte and Laoag City Chapters joined together to roll out the said program in the province.

"Each employee can avail of 10 kilos on a monthly basis," Martin said.

She said 19 local establishments in the entire provin...