88 Micro rice retailers in CV receive cash aid from govt’s Sustainable Livelihood program

CEBU CITY -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Department of Agriculture (DA) conducted simultaneous payouts on September 14, of the cash assistance to micro rice retailers in Cebu-17, Bohol-6, Negros Oriental-63 and one from Siquijor that have been adversely affected with the implementation of Executive Order (EO) 39 that imposed a price cap on rice.

According to DSWD-7 regional information officer, Leah Quintana that these are the first batch of beneficiaries in Central Visayas and the cash aid is given thru the government’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) implemented by the DSWD.

The distribution in Cebu City to the eight micro rice retailers was held at the Interim Building in Carbon Market, marking the ceremonial kickoff of the aid distribution in the region.  Acting Mayor Raymond Garcia, Councilor Junjun Osmeña Jr., DSWD7 Promotive Services Division Chief Emma Patalinghug, DTI Cebu Provincial Director Rose Mae Quiñanola, DILG-7 Regional Director Leocadio Trovela, and City Dir. Nelia Aquino graced the event.

In Cebu Province, 16 out of the 17 micro retailer beneficiaries received the government's aid.  In Minglanilla, the Municipal Administrator, on behalf of Mayor Rajiv Enad, welcomed the participating agencies and the three beneficiaries at the Minglanilla Municipal Hall, where they received their financial assistance.  In Consolacion, DILG Provincial Regional Director Atty. Ian Kenneth Lucero welcomed five out of six beneficiaries and pledged to support the program until all eligible recipients receive the financial assistance.

In Bohol, DSWD-7 distributed the cash assistance to all six affected micro retailers from Tagbilaran City and the municipalities of Jagna, Carmen, Sevilla, and Ubay.  Each claimed the Php15,000 aid from the government at the Atrium, Tagbilaran City Hall.

DSWD-7 Project Development Officer and Team Leader of the Bohol Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) Team Jimmy Crusio, DTI-Bohol OIC Provincial Director Vierna Teresa Ligan, Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Censoria C. Yap, and DILG City Local Government Operations Officer Juliet Olalo attended the activity.

In Negros Oriental, DSWD-7 Regional Director Shalaine Marie Lucero led the ceremonial distribution of the SLP-cash assistance to the 53 out of 63 affected micro rice retailers in Negros Oriental.   With her were DTI Regional Director Maria Elena Arbon, DA Regional Director Angel Enriquez, Negros Oriental Provincial Governor Manuel Sagarbarria, and OPAV Chief TerrenceCalatrava. 

In Siquijor, SLP Project Development Officer Marilou Cortes delivered the cash aid to Jury Ontolan, right at her store, the lone recipient in Barangay Tigbawan, Lazi, Siquijor.

A sole micro rice retailer from Lazi, Siquijor, received the Php 15,000 cash assistance during the simultaneous payout on September 14 with Marilou Operario, DSWD SLP's Provincial Coordinator, handed the cash to Jury with Municipal Mayor Phil Moore Largo, DTI Provincial Director Juliet Banogon, and DILG Provincial Director Siquijor Dennis Quiñones.

Rice retailers thank government for the aid

Cash aid beneficiaries Bernard Bonggansillo of Canlaon City, Leonora Baylosis of Cebu City, Babylin Lozano of Minglanilla, Marcela Roble of Consolacion, and Jury Ontolan of Siquijor expressed gratitude for the aid they received from the government.

Erwin Gok-ong, a rice retailer at Carbon Market and vice president of Cebu City-North of the Grain Retailers Confederation of the Philippines said that they were elated by the move of the government to aid them amid the price ceiling on rice and many of them were hoping that a second tranche of subsidy will be given so that they can continue selling affordable rice to the public.

Small-scale rice retailers in Cebu who received the PHP15,000 subsidy were happy that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. recognized their contribution to the effort of bringing down the prices of the household staple and making it affordable to the consumers.

According to the DTI, qualified micro rice retailers for this subsidy include those registered with the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO), registered as sole proprietors with the DTI, unregistered rice retailers validated by market administrators, and those verified by the DTI.

The DTI produces the clean list while the DILG, in partnership with LGUs, handles the logistics, including information dissemination to beneficiaries on the payout dates and the DSWD conducts the payout activities. (Photos: DSWD7)