Legazpi City, Aug. 12 -- The Department of Labor and Employment in Bicol (DOLE-5) said a total of 4,054 minimum wage earners benefited so far from the Benteng Bigas Meron Na Program of the Marcos administration since it was launched in the region on June 13.

In a press conference on Tuesday, DOLE-5 Director Imelda Gatinao said the program provides affordable food for the nation's workforce, promoting sustainability and strengthening food security in the community.

"This is a program with a heart under the administration headed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. This program is anchored on the needs of the initially targeted beneficiaries. Initially, because we still conduct assessments to determine if there is a need for its expansion,"...