With the coordinated efforts of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-9 and the Department of Agriculture (DA)-9, a total of 86 eligible rice retailers from the municipalities of Molave, Dumingag, Aurora, Ramon Magsaysay, Bayog and from the city of Pagadian were able to receive the said cash assistance on September 11.

In an interview with DTI-9 Regional Director Engr. Al-Zamir I. Lipae, he highlighted the department’s effort in conducting a comprehensive monitoring of rice retailers to ensure strict compliance of the mandated price ceilings and in validating the list of eligible retailers to avail the subsidy.

“DTI monitored and profiled them, yung mga compliant, ibig sabihin, if they are selling at Php.41.00-PHP45.00 pesos, automatic they can avail this Php.15,000.00 ayuda from the DSWD,” he said.

Director Lipae also added that sari-sari store rice retailers are also entitled of the same assistance amounting to Php.5,000.00.

“Those sari-sari stores who are also selling rice at 41.00-45.00 pesos pero dapat kukuha sila from the suppliers and not from the retailer,” he said.

Governor Victor J. Yu, Pagadian City Mayor Samuel S. Co, and Dumingag Mayor Gerry Paglinawan personally witnessed and expressed strong support in the government’s initiative to help the small-scale rice retailers.

Meanwhile, Fely Sabado Duhilag, one of the beneficiaries from Pagadian City, expressed her thanks to the government through this initiative.

“Nagapasalamat gayud mi kay Presidente Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. kay sa mga lugi nga amoang na experience atong niagi nga time, nasuklian sa iyahang hinabang karun,” she said.

(We are thankful to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. Because of the losses that we had experienced recently, it was reciprocated through this help today.)

Mr. Ramon M. Caluma from Dumingag added that they did not expect that the government would implement such an initiative for small retailers like them.

“Wala mi magdahom nga naa diay plano ang gobyerno para sa amo nga mga retailers, nagpasalamat gayud mi kay dili gayud diay mi mapasagdan nga mawala sa programa sa gobyerno ang mga retailers,” he said.

(We did not expect that the government has plans for us, retailers. We are thankful because the government will never leave us out of its programs.)