DSWD: Marcos wants distribution of cash grants to rice retailers finished 'immediately'

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. wants the distribution of cash grants for rice retailers to be finished immediately, Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian said Tuesday.

At a Palace press briefing, Gatchalian said the government is aiming to finish the distribution of the P15,000 cash grants to rice retailers by September 14.

Marcos met with Gatchalian and Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual to discuss the implementation of Executive Order No. 39, which puts a price ceiling on rice to curb its soaring prices.

"So kaya nga sabi niya sa amin when we met, tapusin na kaagad 'yang distribution ng livelihood grants to shore up their capital," Gatchalian said.

(He told us to immediately finish the distribution of livelihood grants to shore up their capital.)

"Natuwa nga siya na may self-imposed deadline whether by law or by [our] selves, na September 14 dapat tapos na kami. Pero I'm telling you right now that maybe a steep of the task kasi may return date kami," he added.

(He was glad that we have a self-imposed deadline that by September 14 we will be finished with the distribution.)

Asked if there would be a second tranche for those who already received the livelihood grants, Gatchalian said the government is not entertaining a prolonged enforcement of EO 39 given that no other than the President had said that the price cap is only temporary.

"At this point in time, diba before the President left for the ASEAN, in his departure address he said the price cap isn't meant to last long. That's why we're sticking to that. By me engaging that question, that means we're already entertaining a prolonged period of EO 39, which is not the directive or direction of the President," Gatchalian said.

Gatchalian said that there are 5,942 micro and small rice retailers on the list who have permits and registrations in public and private markets.

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

Marcos' EO 39 mandates a price cap of P41 per kilogram for regular-milled rice, and P45 per kilogram for well-milled rice which became effective last 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.—VAL, GMA Integrated News