BANGUED, Abra(PIA) –- A total 38 rice retailers in the province of Abra received  cash assistance to cope up with their losses in the implementation of the rice price cap.

Each retailer received P15,000 under the Sustainable Livelihood Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. This will serve as as financial aid to the effects of the Executive Order No. 39 of President Bongbong Marcos Jr.  or the rice price cap of P41.00 per kilo for regular milled rice and P45/kg for well-milled rice.

Department of Trade and Industy -Abra Officer-in-Charge Marvin Arcangel explained that the financial subsidy aims to help rice retailers who bought their rice supply at a higher price before the effectivity of the rice price ceiling.

In an interview with Ms. Raquel Belaras, one of the beneficiaries, she said that she lost more than Php5,000 in following the implementation of the EO39.

“Hindi din naman malakas ang kita ng mga benta kong bigas kasi iilan lang din ang bumibili kaya malaki ang lugi ko noong nag-cut kami ng prices,” She said.

She thanked the government for the cash aid that she received.

“Malaking tulong ito sa akin kasi umabot na sa mahigit  P 5,0000ang loss. Gagamitin ko itong pandagdag puhunan,” she said.

Prior to the distribution of cash assistance, the DTI and partners held a monitoring team to check on the compliance of the different rice retailers. Also, to record those who are eligible to receive the cash aid due to their loss. (CAGT – PIA CAR, Abra)