Government to release P15,000 cash grants to 337 rice retailers in Metro Manila, Zamboanga

The government is set to release on Monday, September 11, 2023 the P15,000 cash grants to some 337 rice retailers in Metro Manila and Zamboanga del Sur who were affected by the implementation of the rice price ceilings.

According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will release cash grants to 15 retailers in Pateros, 161 in Navotas, 129 in Parañaque, and 32 in Zamboanga del Sur.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will assist in informing the beneficiaries of the cash grants, which will be coursed through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).

President and concurrent Agriculture Secretary Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. earlier issued Executive Order 39 which mandates a price cap of P41 per kilogram for regular-milled rice, and P45 per kilogram for well-milled rice effective Tuesday, September 5, 2023.

Advocacy groups have since sounded the alarm over the measure, as they said this could result in lower farmgate prices to the detriment of farmers.

Meanwhile, the government told rice retailers to “sacrifice” their profits in the meantime, adding that violators of the price cap could face fines of up to P1 million.

“As the government’s cash assistance continues, the DSWD and the DTI will meet on Monday to discuss the list of beneficiaries for the rest of the National Capital Region (NCR) and those in the provinces, among other measures,” the PCO said. — DVM, GMA Integrated News