SIQUIJOR  (PIA) -- A total of 40 micro rice retailers affected by the rice price cap in Siquijor province received P15,000 each as cash assistance under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). 

The cash distribution held on September 22, 2023 at the Dugokanan sa Kapitolyo was led by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) together with DSWD, Department of Agriculture (DA), Office of the Provincial Agriculture (OPA), and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The distribution of the cash aid was made possible through the DSWD's Sustainable Livelihood Program-Economic Relief Subsidy (SLP-ERS). 

Cash assistance was given to recover their losses, especially for those who bought their rice at a much higher price compared to the price cap.

A total of P600,000 was handed over to the rice retailers in Siquijor who were affected by the rice price cap mandated by Executive Order (EO) 39 issued by Pres. Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., which set a price ceiling of P41 for regular milled rice and P45 for well-milled rice. 

The order took effect on September 5, 2023. 

"This marks the second round of distribution under EO 39 in the province, with a total of P615,000 disbursed to 41 beneficiaries so far," Banogon said.

Until October 6, 2023

Around 366 micro rice retailers in the region have been given until October 6, 2023, to claim their financial aid under the SLP-ERS of DSWD. 

Since EO 39 was implemented, DSWD-7 has already paid a total of 1,937 micro rice retailers and disbursed P19,055,000.

The names of micro rice retailer beneficiaries were endorsed by DTI, in coordination with the DILG.

However, on October 4, 2023, the price cap on rice had already been lifted. (RAC/PIA7-Siquijor with reports from DTI-Siquijor)