SAN PEDRO LAGUNA — The Department of Trade and Industry – Laguna Provincial Office (DTI-Laguna), in partnership with the Provincial Government of Laguna, City Government of San Pedro, and Maunlad Rice Mill Corporation, launched its first Rice on Wheels for Retailers Program at the Parking Space of Suki Market, Mabini St., City of San Pedro, Laguna, on September 19, 2023.
The Rice on Wheels for Retailers Program primarily provides retailers in public marketplaces the capacity to source out cheaper rice and attempts to assure the availability of regular and well-milled rice under the price ceiling, imposed by the Executive Order 39 (EO 39), to the consumers.
To bear witness to this launching event, Officer-in-Charge Provincial Director Christian Ted Tungohan of DTI-Laguna, Officer-in-Charge Regional Director Marissa Argente of DTI IVA Regional Office, Hon. Mayor Art Joseph Francis Mercado of the City Government of San Pedro, and Head Ms. Elsa Santos of the San Pedro City Business Permits and Licensing Office were all in attendance. The program started with the welcome remarks from OIC Provincial Director Tungohan, followed by the opening message of OIC Regional Director Argente. A Message of Support was then given by Hon. Mayor Mercado and closing remarks was delivered by BPLO Head Santos.
The Rice on Wheels Program, which serves as a mitigating measure for those affected by the implementation of the EO 39, continued its roll-out caravan around the City of San Pedro, particularly in San Pedro Town Center, San Pedro City Hall, and SanJos Market. DTI-Laguna, through its Negosyo Center San Pedro, reported that the Rice on Wheels for Retailers program has sold a total of 76 sacks of well-milled rice on its initial launch in the City of San Pedro.
Furthermore, as part of the ongoing efforts to address the concerns on the implementation of the rice price ceiling, DTI-Laguna together with the Department of the Interior and Local Government – Laguna, Department of Social Welfare and Development IVA, and Provincial Government of Laguna, has already distributed the first payout of cash assistance to micro rice retailers in the province of Laguna (total of nine rice retailers in San Pedro City were included in the list of beneficiaries), at Time Plaza, Provincial Capitol Compound, Santa Cruz, Laguna, last September 14, 2023. ♦
Date of Release: 27 September 2023