Metro Manila and Zamboanga will distribute today cash subsidies for small rice sellers affected by the nationwide rice price ceiling, Malacañang said on Sunday.

The Presidential Communications Office said the Department of Social Welfare and Development told President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that affected rice retailers in Navotas, Parañaque, Pateros and Zamboanga del Sur will receive P15,000 cash handouts.

PCO, citing DSWD data, said the Department of Agriculture and Trade and Industry selected 15 Pateros, 161 Navotas, 129 Parañaque, and 32 Zamboanga del Sur rice retailers for financial help on Monday.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government will help notify the beneficiaries of the cash grants. DSWD and DTI will then meet today to discuss the list of beneficiaries for the rest of the National Capital Region and those in the provinces.

Through Executive Order 39, Marcos approved the DTI and DA's suggestion to establish a P41 rice price ceiling per kilo of regular-milled rice and a P45 per kilo cap on well-milled rice.

According to the DA, 239 shops in 37 markets in the National Capital Region, or 94 percent of rice vendors in the area, have complied with pricing limitations as of 9 September.

President Marcos instructed the DSWD to give small-scale rice retailers P15,000 each through its Sustainable Livelihood Program in anticipation of the rice price ceilings.

On 9 September, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte distributed monetary assistance at the Commonwealth Market. DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora distributed at the Agora Market in San Juan City.

DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr., Congressman Oscar Malapitan and Mayor Dale Malapitan distributed cash grants at the Maypajo Market in Caloocan City.