Small rice retailers in Metro Manila, Zamboanga to receive cash aid

Metro Manila and Zamboanga will have new cash distributions for small rice sellers affected by the nationwide rice price ceiling tomorrow, 11 September, Malacañang said on Sunday.

In a statement, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 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, said that the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) selected 15 Pateros, 161 Navotas, 129 Parañaque, and 32 Zamboanga del Sur rice retailers for financial help on Monday.

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) will help notify the beneficiaries of the cash grants.

DSWD and DTI will then meet on Monday to discuss the list of beneficiaries for the rest of the National Capital Region and those in the provinces.

For context, Marcos approved the DTI and DA's suggestion to establish the P41 rice price ceiling on regular-milled rice and the P45 cap on well-milled rice nationwide by virtue of Executive Order No. 39, which took effect on 5 September.

According to the DA's monitoring report, 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 through its Sustainable Livelihood Program in anticipation of the rice price ceilings.

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