DSWD6 to release additional P14.5 million for small rice retailers

Iloilo City- The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office VI will be releasing today (Thursday, September 21) a total of Php14,505,000 of subsidy for micro rice retailers.

This amount is an addition to the initial payout held previously.

“We are glad that we are able to help more small rice retailers this time. We believe that, in a way, we are helping them cope up with the current situation,” said Atty. Carmelo N. Nochete, Regional Director.

The amount is targeted to help 967 more registered and unregistered small rice retailers identified by the Department of Trade and Industry.

Of the said number, 97 comes from Aklan; 171 from Antique; 185 from Capiz; 282 to Iloilo province; four from Iloilo City; 211 comes from Negros Occidental; and Guimaras, 17.

The subsidy provision is under SLP-ERS (Sustainable Livelihood Program – Economic Relief Subsidy) which provides P15,000 aid to micro rice retailers.

The simultaneous payout will be done in different venues in the provinces within the region to continuously address the ongoing challenges faced by micro rice retailers due to price ceiling on rice as mandated by Executive Order 39, series of 2023.

The first batch of assistance disbursed amounted to a total of Php 2,535,000.00, which was released to 169 beneficiaries last September 13-14, 2023. Also, 82 small rice retailers from Iloilo received Php 1,230,000.00 on September 19, 2023./dswd6/Nicole Ebojo