The Perpetual Help Community Cooperative, Inc. (PHCCI) will distribute free rice to approximately 80,000 member-owners across its branches in the Visayas and Mindanao this Christmas season.
“This is the third year for PHCCI to give free rice to its member-owners, with an allocation of PHP17 million from the members’ benefit fund,” Maricar Aranas Vensuelo, PHCCI special program coordinator, said in an interview on Tuesday.
Each beneficiary will receive 5 kg. of premium rice.
Vensuelo noted that the 80,000 estimated recipients represent a conservative count of the cooperative’s 120,000 members across its branches.
PHCCI Chief Operations Officer Joesilo Cua said the cooperative took a cautious approach to this year’s budget for the rice-giving program, as not all rice bags were claimed in previous years.
The distribution will take place at the PHCCI main office in Dumaguete City and all its branches outside Negros Oriental from Dec. 16 to 28.
Satellite offices at local shopping malls will not be used due to space constraints.
To qualify for the program, members must transact with the cooperative starting Dec. 16.
According to Maria Sashi Ivy Patrocenio, PHCCI chief finance officer, members with loans must pay at least PHP100, while those without loans must deposit a minimum of PHP100 into their share capital.
Transactions can be done in person or through PHCCI’s mobile app, Patrocenio said.
Qualified members must present an identification card and proof of transaction to claim their rice, which can also be collected from other branches if needed.
In 2021, PHCCI also distributed dressed chicken to members at the height of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. (Judy F. Partlow/PNA)
