NORTHERN MINDANAO – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) together with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) successfully distributed cash assistance to the first batch of micro rice retailers in Northern Mindanao in compliance to the Executive Order No. 39 implementations.
EO No. 39 took effect on September 5, 2023, which implements a mandated price ceiling for regular-milled rice at P41 per kilo and well-milled rice at P45 per kilo.
The subsidy, facilitated under DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program-Economic Relief Subsidy (SLP-ERS), reflects the government’s responsiveness in extending financial support to provide economic relief and assistance for the micro rice retailers affected by the said rice price cap.
Ninety-two percent (92%) or thirty-six (36) out of 39 qualified micro rice retailers in Northern Mindanao received the one-time cash assistance of P15,000 each during the simultaneous payouts: seven (7) in Bukidnon; seven (7) in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte; 13 in Misamis Occidental; four (4) in Cagayan de Oro City and Manticao, Misamis Oriental; and five (5) in Gingoog, Misamis Oriental.
The remaining three (3) rice retailers—two (2) in Bukidnon and one (1) in Misamis Occidental—are
expected to receive their cash assistance in the respective DSWD provincial offices within the week.
DTI Region 10 fast tracks the profiling of more qualified beneficiaries in the region in preparation for the next round of financial assistance payout, while it continues the daily price and supply monitoring to major markets. ♦
Date of Release: 15 September 2023
