CORTES, Bohol, September 24 (PIA) -- The first batch of subsidies for six micro rice retailers who were found to be compliant with the rice price cap as mandated under Executive Order No. 39 received their P15,000 one-time economic relief subsidy in rites held at the City Hall Atrium on September 14, 2023.
Small-scale rice retailers Anunciacion Tadle of JAJ City Enterprises and Heracleo Daradar of RLD Sarisari Store at the Dao Public Market, Gem Salas Bernido of Little Flower General Merchandise Jagna Public Market, Jessica Rejas of Pilmons Rice and Corn Store at the Carmen Public Market, Cerina Digal of Cerina Digal Store at the Sevilla Public Market and Cheryl Ibale of the Ubay Public Market all received their subsidies in line with EO No. 39.
The same EO placed a price cap for regular milled rice at P41 per kilo and well-milled rice at P45.
The price cap, or the imposition of mandated price ceilings on rice, forms part of the government's efforts to protect consumers amid a surge in the food staple’s retail prices and the alleged price manipulation.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recommended for the imposition of the mandated price caps, which shall remain in full force unless lifted by the President upon the recommendation of the DA and the DTI.
Since the EO mandates that the DTI and DA implement, monitor and investigate abnormal price movements from August 31 to September 8, the office went to public markets in Bohol and found the six retailers compliant with the mandate, reported DTI Bohol Officer-in-Charge Vierna Teresa Ligan.
According to DTI, retailers who qualified are all registered businesses at the DTI.
Micro rice retailers could also qualify for the subsidy.
Apart from the DTI, the DA is also mandated to monitor and implement the EO.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development through Social Welfare and Development Officer Jimmy Crusio said the subsidy is part of the Sustainable Livelihood Program-Economic Relief Subsidy (SLP-ERS).
Meanwhile, Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Yap congratulated the beneficiaries and vowed to support the government in its initiatives, as this would also benefit Tagbilaranons.
The next batch of subsidies would include 33 small-scale rice retailers, which the DTI has found all over Bohol and are compliant with the policies for the eventual release of the one-time government aid.
For more information regarding the program, the public may reach the DSWD Region 7 at (032) 233 0261 or email fo7@dswd.gov.ph (RAHC/PIA-7 Bohol)
