Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso resumed the city’s rice subsidy rollout on April 20, delivering aid directly to workers under the national government-backed “Biyayang Bigas para sa Maynila” program. He led the distribution of 10-kilogram packs of commercial rice at a McDonald’s branch along UN-Del Pilar, bringing assistance straight to employees on site.
The program is supported by President Bongbong Marcos and funded through a ₱286-million allocation from the Financial Assistance to Local Government Units. City officials said the effort aims to reach around 80,000 workers in Manila as part of a wider push to ease pressure from rising living costs.
Domagoso said the city chose workplace distribution to avoid disrupting business operations and workers’ daily routines, with additional rounds scheduled every other month over the next six months.
“Huwag kayong mag-alala, kita ninyo, dito kami pumunta. At ito ay gagawin nang sama-sama para sa inyong lahat,” he said, adding that the program will continue to expand. He also told workers, “This is for our working class in the City of Manila, and we are very proud of you because of what you’re doing for the companies that you serve.” Isko linked the initiative to the economic strain tied to ongoing tensions in the Middle East, which have driven up fuel prices and the cost of basic goods.
The program was launched on April 16 at SM City Manila, where President Marcos joined the pilot distribution and expressed hope that the initiative would help reduce hunger before the end of his term. He cited Manila’s fast rollout of national programs, noting that the city is often among the first to implement them.
Workers who received early assistance said the rice support has helped offset daily expenses as households continue to face rising costs.
