The Department of Social Welfare & Development will hand over more than P6 million in emergency relief assistance to 405 micro rice retailers in Negros Oriental on Friday.
This will be the government’s third payout in Negros Oriental to help micro rice retailers cope with their losses after the issuance of Executive Order 39 mandating a price cap on regular rice at P41 per kilo, and on well-milled rice at P45 per kilo.
“The latest cash assistance distribution includes this time, sari-sari stores and other outlets, such as agri-vet shops that also sell rice and have been endorsed by the different local government units,” Jade Krystle Bato, information officer of the Department of Trade & Industry here, said on Thursday.
The latest batch of beneficiaries underwent strict validation to ensure they are qualified to receive the assistance.
This brings to 541 the total micro rice retailers in Negros Oriental who have been identified to receive cash assistance under the DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program – Economic Relief Subsidy.
On Sept. 22, the DSWD released P1.14 million to 76 beneficiaries and earlier, P900,000 to 60 others.
Friday’s distribution of the cash assistance will be held at the Robinsons Place in this capital city.
It will be done simultaneously in the provinces of Cebu with 1,103 beneficiaries; Bohol, 434; and Siquijor, 44.
Meanwhile, the DTI reported that the majority, if not all, of the micro rice retailers in the Province are now selling their regular and well-milled rice at the mandated price.
Bato said this is most likely due to the retailers having witnessed the release of government aid to help them recoup their losses. (PNA)
