Kalinga rice retailers get DSWD cash

By Ruth Cupang

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- Eighteen qualified micro-rice retailers in Kalinga who were affected by the imposition of the rice price cap received cash assistance of P15,000 each from the Dept. of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Sept. 22.
    The cash aid from the DSWD's Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) was meant to make up for losses the rice retailers suffered during the implementation of Executive Order (EO) 35 which mandates a price cap of P41 for regular milled and P45 for well-milled rice.
    Maria Cecilia Baral from DTI Kalinga said that the assistance payout was given in batches, and qualified beneficiaries are those who follow the price cap upon its imposition last September 5.
    She added that even unlicensed rice retailers and sari-sari store owners selling rice can receive aid in line with the EO's directive that the list of beneficiaries should be inclusive.
    Edna Javillonar, one of the beneficiaries from Rizal, Kalinga, said the assistance is a significant relief for her as it helps cover her losses and ensures she has funds to purchase her next rice stock.
    The joint monitoring team for the rice cap imposition includes members from the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Agriculture, the Philippine National Police, and the local government of Tabuk City.