MALAYBALAY CITY (PIA)–In a collaborative effort to provide financial assistance to micro rice retailers in the cities of Malaybalay and Valencia within Bukidnon province, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) National Program Office representative Lowell Cornejo and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Bukidnon Provincial Director Famelah Raquel Villanueva, have joined forces to ensure the distribution of Economic Relief Subsidy (ERS) cash aid amounting to P15,000 for each eligible beneficiary.
This economic assistance intends to support nine dedicated micro rice retailers who consistently adhered to and implemented the government’s mandated price cap under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Executive Order No. 39 (EO 39).
These nine resilient rice retailers, six from Malaybalay and three from Valencia City completed the rigorous verification process initiated by the DTI.
The validation began by cross-referencing the retailers’ names with the list endorsed by DTI, ensuring that only legitimate beneficiaries qualify for the subsidy.
These retailers passed through in-depth profiling to further validate their status as genuine rice retailers in their cities. The last crucial step involves disbursing a P15,000 cash subsidy to each of these deserving beneficiaries.
This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to supporting local businesses, especially those that play a critical role in ensuring the availability and affordability of rice, a staple food for Filipinos.
In line with this, Lowell Cornejo of DSWD’s National Program Office said the department will continue monitoring the beneficiaries to ensure compliance with EO 39.
This order establishes a price ceiling on rice, specifically setting regular-milled rice at P41 per kilogram and well-milled rice at P45 per kilogram. Its goal is not only to offer financial assistance but to urge retailers to maintain affordable rice prices for the community.
“While EO 39 remains in force, DSWD has taken action to provide financial aid to impacted micro rice retailers by utilizing the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP). The DSWD’s responsibility is to distribute the subsidy through the SLP, while the DTI has been entrusted with the task of identifying and certifying beneficiaries,” Cornejo said.
Isidra Bernal, proprietor of Bernal Rice Store and a beneficiary of the ERS program, extends her gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for recognizing the significance of micro rice retailers during this crisis.
“Dako kaayo among pasalamat sa atong mahal nga Presidente kay iya gyud ming gihatagan og pagtagad. Kining P15,000 bisan dili man kini makatapal sa among mga gansi, pero sa ngalan nga kami gihatagan og pagtagad sa atong gobyerno, dako na among kalipay,” Bernal said.
Meanwhile, DTI-Bukidnon Provincial Director Famelah Raquel Villanueva encouraged all micro rice retailers in Bukidnon province to comply with EO 39.
“I hope nga kining atong mga rice retailers mo-follow gyud sa atong EO 39, kay kana inyong gabuhaton is a service to all Filipino people,” Villanueva said.
The ERS cash aid provides much-needed financial relief to these nine micro rice retailers and reaffirms the government’s commitment to creating an environment where small businesses can thrive while maintaining the affordability of essential commodities like rice. As these retailers continue their important work, they can do so with the assurance that their dedication is recognized and supported by their government and fellow Filipinos, Villanueva added. (BGEpan/PIA 10-Bukidnon)
By Bernadith G. Epan
