The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Region 7, conducted simultaneous payouts on September 14, 2023 in Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor to micro rice retailers who have been adversely affected by the implementation of Executive Order (EO) 39, which imposed a price cap on rice.

DSWD-7 released cash assistance to the 87 micro retailers that belong to the first batch of beneficiaries in the entire region with this breakdown: Bohol-6, Cebu-17, Negros Oriental-63, and Siquijor-1.

Cebu

A total of eight (8) micro rice retailers from Cebu City received their cash aid at the Interim Building in Carbon Market, marking the ceremonial kickoff of the aid distribution in the region.

The distribution in Cebu City to eight (8) beneficiaries took place at the Carbon Public Market in Cebu City. Acting Mayor Raymond Garcia, Councilor Junjun Osmeña Jr., DSWD 7 Promotive Services Division Chief Emma Patalinghug, DTI Cebu Provincial Director Rose Mae Quiñanola, DILG 7 Regional Director Leocadio Trovela, and City Dir. Nelia Aquino graced the event.

In Minglanilla, the Municipal Administrator Rolando Lastimosa, on behalf of Mayor Rajiv Enad, warmly welcomed the participating agencies and the three (3) beneficiaries at the Minglanilla Municipal Hall, where they received their financial assistance.

Meanwhile, in Consolacion, DILG Provincial Regional Director Atty. Ian Kenneth Lucero extended a warm welcome to the five out of six beneficiaries and pledged ongoing support for the program until all eligible recipients receive their financial assistance.

Bohol

DSWD-7 successfully conducted the distribution of cash assistance to affected micro retailers All six recipients, coming from Tagbilaran City and the municipalities of Jagna, Carmen, Sevilla, and Ubay, each claimed the Php 15,000 aid from the government at the Atrium, Tagbilaran City Hall.

DSWD-7 Project Development Officer and Team Leader of the Bohol Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) Team Jimmy Crusio, DTI-Bohol OIC Provincial Director Vierna Teresa C. Ligan, Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Censoria C. Yap, and DILG City Local Government Operations Officer Juliet Olalo attended the activity.

Negros Oriental

DSWD-7 Regional Director Shalaine Marie Lucero led the ceremonial distribution of the Sustainable Livelihood Program’s cash assistance to micro rice retailers in Negros Oriental. With her were DTI Regional Director Maria Elena Arbon, DA Regional Director Angel C. Enriquez, Negros Oriental Provincial Governor Manuel Sagarbarria, and OPAV Chief Terrence Calatrava.

A total of 53 out of 63 micro rice retailers receive the Php 15,000 cash assistance in Negros Oriental.

Siquijor

SLP Project Development Officer Marilou Cortes delivered the cash aid to Ms. Jury Ontolan, the lone recipient in Barangay Tigbawan, Lazi, Siquijor, right at her store.

Cash aid beneficiaries Bernard Bonggansillo of Canlaon City, Leonora Baylosis of Cebu City, Babylin Lozano of Minglanilla, Marcela Roble of Consolacion, and Jury Ontolan of Siquijor expressed gratitude for the aid they received from the government.

According to the DTI, qualified micro rice retailers for this subsidy include those registered with the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO), registered as sole proprietors with the DTI, unregistered rice retailers validated by market administrators, and those verified by the DTI.

The DTI produces the clean list; the DILG, in partnership with LGUs, handles the logistics, including information dissemination to beneficiaries on the payout dates; and the DSWD continues conducting the payout activities.

The DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program implements the micro retailers’ cash aid. ###

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