A total of 303 micro rice retailers from the cities and municipalities of Bukidnon have received Php15,000.00 cash subsidy from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-10

In collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Economic Relief Subsidy (ERS) cash aid was successfully distributed to the eligible beneficiaries.

In accordance with Executive Order No. 39 issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., this economic assistance aims to support retailers who abide by the government’s mandated rice price cap.

During the Consumer Welfare Month press briefing last October 2, DTI Bukidnon Provincial Director Famelah Raquel Villanueva stated that the DSWD has already released financial assistance in Bukidnon amounting to P4,546,00.

On October 4, 2023, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced that he lifted the price cap on rice, almost a month after its implementation.

In a report from CNN Philippines on the same day, according to a Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) official, micro rice retailers who have not yet received the government’s 15,000 cash aid will continue to receive the subsidy even though the price cap on rice has been lifted.

On September 5, Marcos, who currently heads the nation’s agriculture department, issued Executive Order (EO) 39, which established price caps on regular and well-milled rice throughout the whole country.

In response to rising commodity prices, the president has set a price ceiling for regularly milled rice at P41 per kilogram, while the price ceiling for well-milled rice at P45 per kilogram.

On October 4, the Manila Bulletin reported that despite the lifting of Executive Order No. 39, the DTI promised that the one-time cash aid distribution would continue until each beneficiary of the Sustainable Livelihood Program-Economic Relief Subsidy (SLP-ERS) listed by the DTI received P15,000.

With this year’s theme “Gen S: Generation on Sustainable,” Junar Merla, Chief of the DTI Bukidnon Consumer Protection Division, highlighted the significance of celebrating Consumer Welfare Month in accordance with Presidential Proclamation (PD) 1089 series of 1997, which aims to increase consumer awareness by disseminating pertinent information to both the public and private sectors. (MG Mayumi B. Madera)