BOAC, Marinduque (PIA) -- Five rice retailers in the province who are affected by the implementation of the mandated price cap on rice recently received the government’s P15,000 financial aid.

According to Sonia De Leon, Regional Program Coordinator of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), DSWD is coordinating with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to identify the beneficiaries.

"Sa ilalim ng Economic Relief Subsidy ng aming ahensya, katuwang ang Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) at iba pang ahensya ng gobyerno, kami po ay binigyan ng direktiba ng ating Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. na ipagkaloob sa inyo itong one-time emergency rice subsidy mula sa ating pamahalaan," said De Leon.

Pursuant to Executive Order No. 39 issued by President Marcos, rice retailers must abide to sell regular milled rice at P41 per kilo while well-milled rice must be sold at P45 per kilo.

Roniel Macatol, Provincial Director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Marinduque, said that based on their monitoring, the retailers immediately responded to the call of the President and they also submitted the corresponding documents to become eligible for the subsidy.

Among the beneficiaries are Ramon Apostol Rice and Feeds Retailer from Boac, Ruben Belen de Chavez Store and Karren's Sari-Sari Store from Mogpog, RTS Marinduque Enterprise from Santa Cruz, and Marife Rice and Feed Retailing from Buenavista.

"Malaking tulong po itong P15,000 na ibinigay sa amin ng Pamahalaan dahil maipandadagdag namin ito sa aming puhunan. Sa gayong paraan ay mapananatili namin na mababa ang presyo ng mga binebenta naming bigas. Sa katunayan ay talagang mababa po ang presyo ng bigas sa aming tindahan at lalo namin ito ibinababa tuwing araw ng Linggo dahil marami po sa amin ang namimili na galing pa sa ibang barangay," said Exaltacion Nuñez.

The EO aims to reduce the increase in prices of basic commodities caused by hoarding and price manipulation as well as to protect consumers against rice hoarders and cartels. 

Upon the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is set to distribute cash assistance to sari-sari store owners who were affected by the implementation of the mandated price ceiling on rice in coordination until September 29.

In its update to the Office of the President, the DSWD said that it is set to distribute cash assistance to sari-sari store owners in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in terms of identifying the beneficiaries.

Citizens may contact these agencies: DTI (889-0712); DA (02) 8927-4350; and Police Regional Office (PRO) Mimaropa (0917) 622 8038. (GATS/PIA MIMAROPA)