CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela (PIA) -- Some 595 eligible micro rice retailers in this province received financial assistance under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 2 to weather the effects of Executive Order (EO) 39 or the rice price cap.

The beneficiaries were from Cauayan City, the City of Ilagan, Cabagan, Echague, Gamu, Jones Naguilian, Ramon, Roxas, San Agustin, San Mateo, and Tumauini.

Marisa Go, a rice retailer from Tumauini town, expressed her gratitude to the government for the assistance extended to affected small business operators like her.

"We are very thankful to the DSWD and to the government for providing assistance to affected rice retailers like me. With this, at least we can cope with our losses," Go said.

The distribution was in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

DILG-Isabela Provincial Director Engineer Corazon Toribio said the government deemed it necessary to help affected micro rice retailers regain their losses and continue with their livelihood. 

Toribio also assured that the government is prompt in assisting rice retailers to continue with their business while complying with the order of the government to follow the set price ceiling for regular and well-milled rice. 

Meanwhile, DSWD-2 Regional (SLP) Coordinator Noel T. Domingo recognized the vital role of rice retailers in ensuring that affordable rice will be accessible to all. 

He said each beneficiary received P15,000, which serves as a lifeline during these challenging times.

Also present during the distribution were DTI Assistant Regional Director Winston T. Singun, DA- CVRC Representative Gemma G. Bagunu, PNP Representative Capt. Terence T. Tomas, and City of Ilagan Councilors Ariel Tabangcura and Antonio Montereal Jr.

For inquiries relative to the SLP, the public may contact the following DSWD's contact details: Landlines-
(078)304-1004 PBX Front Desk and (078)375-2640 VOIP Front Desk or E-Mail at fo2@dswd.gov.ph. (OTB/MGE/PIA Isabela)