KORONADAL CITY, SOUTH COTABATO – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 12 joined the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 12, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 12, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 12, and the Local Government Units (LGUs) in the distribution of cash assistance to micro-rice retailers in Region 12.

The distribution is in response to the presidential directives stipulated in Executive Order No. 39, which took effect on September 5, 2023, mandating the imposition of a price ceiling for Regular Milled Rice (RWR) at Php 41 per kilo and Well-Milled Rice (WMR) at Php 45 per kilo.

A total of 127 micro-rice retailers received Php 15,000 in cash assistance as a subsidy for their losses in compliance with the mandated rice ceiling imposed on September 1, 2023.

The beneficiaries received their cash assistance in ceremonial distribution events which started last Tuesday in Tacurong City for Sultan Kudarat, on September 13 in Koronadal City and Kidapawan City for South Cotabato Cotabato Province respectively, and culminated on September 14 in Alabel for Sarangani, and General Santos City.

In the process of generating the list of beneficiaries, DTI profiled and validated them to ensure that they meet the minimum requirements as provided by EO 39.

The payout to beneficiaries was carried out under the Sustainable Livelihood Program – Emergency Relief Subsidy (SLP-ERS) of the DSWD.

The local trade chief of DTI 12, Flora Politud-Gabunales, joined the ceremonial distributions along with key officers from the Consumer Protection Division of DTI 12’s provincial and satellite offices.

In an interview, Politud-Gabunales underscored that EO39 is a temporary government measure to address the sudden spike in rice prices in the market and to ensure the availability and affordability of rice for Filipinos.

She also added that the financial assistance given to the rice retailers will benefit the consumers since this is a means to make rice affordable and accessible to all.

According to DTI guidelines, a single cash payout of Php 15,000 will be issued to rice retailers who sell RMR and WMR within the prescribed ceiling price. To be eligible, retailers must hold a license from the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) or possess a certification issued by the barangay or any government office. They should also be registered with DTI as sole proprietors, with the Cooperative Development Authority as cooperators, or with the Securities and Exchange Commission as partnerships or corporations. ♦