Rice retailers who were hit hard by the implementation of Executive Order 39 continue to receive subsidies of P15,000 each throughout the country, the Department of Trade and Industry reported on Saturday.

Along with representatives of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, DTI representatives successfully distributed cash assistance to the first batch of micro rice retailers in Northern Mindanao from 13 to 15 September 2023.

The cash assistance was through DSWD's Sustainable Livelihood Program (cash assistance for micro rice retailers).

According to the DTI, 92 percent or 36 out of 39 qualified micro rice retailers in Northern Mindanao, which consists of Bukidnon, the island province of Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Misamis Oriental, received cash assistance during the simultaneous payouts.

Meanwhile, the remaining three rice retailers are set to receive cash assistance in their respective DSWD provincial offices within the week.

"DTI Region 10 commits to the fast-tracking of the profiling of more qualified beneficiaries in the region in preparation for the next round of financial assistance distribution while also conducting day-to-day monitoring of prices and supply of rice in the market," the DTI statement said.

Meanwhile, in the Caraga Region, the DTI said 100 percent of verified micro rice retailers received cash assistance.