CEBU CITY (PIA) -- "Para sa akoa, dako kaayong tabang gyud kay sa among paghatag ug presyo nga lugi kay mi daan, at least nahulipan among losses, na cover ang among puhunan sa bugas (For me, I consider this a big help for us who have to sell our rice at a lower price, because we have already at least replaced our losses and covered our capital through this cash assistance)."

This was what Queenie Kate Paray, a micro rice retailer in Cebu City, said when asked about the importance of the financial assistance that she received under the Sustainable Livelihood Program-Economic Relief Subsidy.

Paray was one of the eight beneficiaries in Cebu City who received the financial aid worth P15,000 during the distribution held at the New Carbon Market on September 14. 

Paray thanked Pres. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for initiating the program.

"Dako kay mig pasalamat sa atong presidente nga iyang ning gipatuman nga programa kaning SLP nga naghatag ug assistance ngadto sa mga rice retailers, pasalamat pud sa DSWD sa maong programa labi na sa out of 87 naapil mi sa nahatagan (I am very thankful to our President that he implemented this program, the SLP that provides assistance to rice retailers. I am also thankful to DSWD for that program, especially that out of the 87 initial beneficiaries, I am fortunate to be one of them)," she added.

Economic Relief Subsidy

The Sustainable Livelihood Program-Economic Relief Subsidy Program (SLP-ERP) is a one-time limited financial assistance provided to micro-rice retailers who are affected by the implementation of Executive Order 39, which mandates price ceilings on regular and well-milled rice.

On September 14, the Department of Trade and Industry 7 (DTI-7), the Department of Social Welfare and Development 7 (DSWD-7), and partner agencies led the regional simultaneous initial payout for the financial assistance worth P15,000 each to 87 total identified micro-rice retailers in Central Visayas.

Of the total number of beneficiaries, 63 are in Negros Oriental, 17 in Cebu, 6 in Bohol, and 1 in Siqujior.

The one-day payout of cash assistance was held simultaneously in Tagbilaran City in Bohol, Cebu City, Consolacion and Minglanilla in Cebu Province, Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental, and Lazi in Siquijor.

The department has allocated a total of P1,305,000 for the initial payout under the Economic Relief Subsidy Program intended for the affected micro-rice retailers in Central Visayas.

Distribution of cash assistance

DTI-7 identified the initial list of 87 certified beneficiaries and endorsed by the DSWD-7, which then  conducted verification and profiling during the payout process to ensure that the beneficiaries who will receive the cash assistance are those who are included in the list.

Meanwhile, the social welfare department has earlier issued a reminder for the micro-rice retailers who are on the list and those who did not receive a notification from the DTI.

"Ang owner jud ang dapat modawat sa cash assistance ug kung naay valid reason nga dili kaadto sa venue ang beneficiary to receive the assistance, pwede ra mag authorization letter pero limited ra sa close family members ang pwede ma authorize, kutob ra sa anak, legal spouse, ug parents (The owner is the one who should accept the cash assistance. If there is a valid reason that the beneficiary cannot go to the venue to receive the assistance, an authorization letter is required. But only close family members can be authorized, such as children, legal spouse, or parents)," said DSWD-7 Regional Program Coordinator Maria Rosana Coritico during the Kapihan sa PIA held September 13. 

The identified recipients have also been advised to bring their valid IDs to be presented during the verification as part of the payout process.

DSWD-7 and DTI-7 have also sought the assistance of the Department of the Interior and Local Government 7 and the Police Regional Office 7, as police personnel were deployed in the venues to ensure the safety and security of everyone involved in the distribution of cash assistance. 

The identified recipients have also been advised to bring their valid IDs to be presented during the verification as part of the payout process.

Aid to affected micro-rice retailers

The DSWD and DTI are waiting for further directives on whether there will be a next batch of payouts to be conducted for other micro-rice retailers in Central Visayas who are also affected by the imposition of price caps on rice.

They said they will be prepared whenever another payout or distribution will take place, as this will only mean more micro-rice retailers will benefit from the assistance coming from the government.

"Kining atong gibuhat agi nig suporta sa initiative sa atong presidente nga ma stabilize ang presyo sa bugas og mahtagan pud ug ayuda katung mga naapektuhan sa EO 39, so we hope that those on the list will go to our payout venues og magdala og valid IDs alang sa  pagdawat sa inyung cash assistance (We are doing this to support our president's initiative to stabilize the price of rice and also give aid to those affected by EO 39, so we hope that those on the list will go to our payout venues and bring valid IDs to receive your cash assistance),” Coritico said. 

For more details regarding the program, the public may reach the DSWD 7 at (032) 233 0261 or email fo7@dswd.gov.ph. (RGC/PIA7 Cebu)