UPON the instruction of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the government started today the distribution of the PhP15,000-cash grant to qualified small rice retailers affected by the implementation of the mandated rice price ceilings nationwide.
Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian led the distribution of cash grants at the Commonwealth Market in Quezon City with Mayor Joy Belmonte while simultaneous payouts were also held at the Agora Market in San Juan City with Secretary of Trade and Industry Alfredo Pascual and Mayor Francis Zamora, and at the Maypajo Market in Caloocan City with Secretary of Interior and Local Government Benhur Abalos Jr. and Congressman Oscar Malapitan and Mayor Dale Malapitan.
A total of 232 small rice retailers have received the PhP15,000 cash grant – 48 each in Quezon City and San Juan City while 136 beneficiaries received the cash assistance in Caloocan City.
Gatchalian said that the administration of President Marcos assured the affected micro rice retailers nationwide that their cry for help amid the implementation of the mandated rice price ceiling in the country will not fall on deaf ears.
He also thanked the rice retailers for their understanding and cooperation to become part of the solution in the recent surges of rice prices.
“Sa ngalan ng ating Pangulo, Bongbong Marcos, nagpapasalamat kami sa ating mga small rice retailers katulad ninyo na sumunod kaagad at tumulong na maging bahagi ng solusyon,” Gatchalian told the rice retailers during the distribution of cash grants.
“Pinararating din ng ating mahal na Pangulo ang kanyang mensahe na nauunawaan niya ang inyong pinagdaraanan. Kausap ko nga ho siya kahapon at alam niya na hindi madali para sa mga small rice retailers natin na ang mga panahon na ito,” he added.
President Marcos recently approved the recommendation of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Agriculture (DA), through Executive Order (EO) No. 39, to impose the mandated price ceilings on regular and well-milled rice amid the surges of rice prices in the market.
Under EO 39, the mandated price ceiling on regular milled rice is PhP41.00 per kilogram while the mandated price cap on well-milled rice is PhP45.00 per kilogram. The order took effect last Tuesday, Sept. 5.
Gatchalian also assured the small rice traders that the DTI, DA, DSWD, and the local government units will not abandon them in these trying times brought about by the surge of rice prices in the market nationwide.
Small rice traders, who requested anonymity, said they are thankful to President Marcos for the financial assistance extended to them as they assured the government of their full cooperation in the implementation of the rice price caps.
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