The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through the assistance of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), led the simultaneous distribution of cash assistance to qualified micro retailers across Eastern Visayas on September 13-14, 2023.  

As mandated by Executive Order No. 39, the DTI is in charge of identifying and verifying the target beneficiaries for the DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Assistance (SLP) (cash assistance for micro rice retailers) through the provision of a list that was coordinated with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the LGUs’ Business Permits and Licensing Offices (BPLOs). 

Through the SLP, a total of sixty-seven (67) qualified micro rice retailers received PHP15,000 pesos each. The DTI confirmed that these beneficiaries are also compliant with the guidelines established in identifying the recipients of cash assistance from the DSWD. 

The DTI Eastern Visayas Region assures the public that they will continue working with the national government in providing assistance to affected micro rice retailers while also conducting day-to-day monitoring activities to protect consumers and ensure compliance with the price cap. ♦

Date of release: 16 September 2023