BANGUED, Abra – A total 38 rice retailers in the province received cash assistance to cope with their losses in the implementation of the rice price cap.
Each retailer received P15,000 under the Sustainable Livelihood Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. This will serve as financial aid to the effects of Executive Order 39 of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. or the rice price cap of P41 per kilo for regular milled rice and P45/kg for well-milled rice.
Department of Trade and Industy-Abra Officer-in-Charge Marvin Arcangel said the financial subsidy aims to help rice retailers who bought their rice supply at a higher price before the price ceiling took effect.
Raquel Belaras, one of the beneficiaries, said she lost more than P5,000 for following the implementation of EO39.
“Hindi rin naman malakas ang kita ng mga benta kong bigas kasi iilan lang din ang bumibili kaya malaki ang lugi ko noong nag-cut kami ng prices,” She said.
She thanked the government for the cash aid she received. “Malaking tulong ito sa akin kasi umabot na sa mahigit P5,0000 ang loss. Gagamitin ko itong pandagdag puhunan.”
Prior to the distribution of cash assistance, the DTI and partners held checked on the compliance of the different rice retailers and recorded those who are eligible to receive the cash aid. – Christian Allister Tubadeza
