Gov't starts giving out P15K cash aid to rice retailers affected by price cap

The government started distributing on Saturday the P15,000 cash assistance to micro rice retailers affected by the price ceiling on the food staple.

At Commonwealth Market in Quezon City, retailers patiently sat on chairs to await their turn to claim the aid to be given out by personnel of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), according to a tweet by GMA Integrated News reporter Bernadette Reyes.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Agriculture Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban, and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte were at the market to oversee the cash aid distribution.

About 40 rice retailers meanwhile were expected to receive the cash assistance at Agora Public Market in San Juan City, according to a report by Luisito Santos on Super Radyo dzBB.

The cash aid distribution at Agora Market was witnessed by Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora.

LOOK: @DtiPhilippines Sec. Alfredo Pascual at San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, nag-inspeksyon sa Agora Public Market upang matiyak na nasusunod ang price ceiling sa bigas. | via @luisitosantos03 pic.twitter.com/I11TLFY5nn

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) September 9, 2023

They also went to vendors' stalls to check if the price ceiling on rice is being followed.

Zamora also announced that rice retailers at Agora Public Market will not be charged for rent for their stalls for the month of September, to help them cope with losses incurred due to the price ceiling.

The cash aid was also distributed on Saturday morning to 138 affected rice retailers at Maypajo Market in Caloocan City, according to a report by Jhomer Apresto on Super Radyo dzBB.

The event was attended by Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos and officials of the Department of Trade and Industry, DSWD, and Department of Agriculture. 

MORE: Dumating sa payout site sa Maypajo Market sina @DILGPhilippines Sec. Benhur Abalos at iba pang opisyal mula sa @DtiPhilippines, @dswdserves at Department of Agriculture. pic.twitter.com/W2aDdgBxs0

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) September 9, 2023

The mandated price ceiling for regular milled rice is P41 per kilo while the mandated price cap for well-milled rice is P45 per kilo, according to Executive Order 39. The price ceiling on rice took effect on Tuesday, September 5. 

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.' approval of the price ceiling stemmed from the surge in retail prices of rice in local markets, which ranged from P45 to P70 per kilo. 

Marcos said Monday that the mandatory price ceiling on rice would only be temporary. 

The President also vowed that the government had a plan for rice retailers who would be adversely affected by the price ceiling on the commodity. 

The P15,000 financial assistance to be given to small retailers affected by the price ceiling will come from the DSWD's Sustainable Livelihood Program.

Gatchalian however on Saturday said the said P15,000 financial assistance could be increased. —KG, GMA Integrated News