Another batch of micro-rice retailers across the region received cash assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development through the Sustainable Livelihood Program and in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Caraga, just recently.

A total of 452 retailers received PhP15,000 each as part of the national government’s Economic Relief Subsidy (ERS). Recipients of this assistance were identified and certified by DTI.

Specifically, here is the breakdown of the number of retailers that received cash assistance from the program: Agusan del Norte – 84, Agusan del Sur -132, Dinagat Islands – 4, Surigao del Norte – 116, and Surigao del Sur – 116.

Before this release, around 35 micro-rice retailers had also received the same assistance from the DSWD-SLP last September 14, 2023.

ERS is a scheme under Executive Order No. 39, series of 2023 – an initiative of the Marcos Administration that primarily aims to address the rising prices, especially on food and food-related items, by imposing a price ceiling and freezing rice prices in the country. Specifically, this program aims to provide limited economic relief and assistance for the affected micro-rice retailers of the executive order.

At present, the program has already ceased its implementation of the SLP-ERS as President Ferdinand Marcos lifted the price cap on October 4, 2023. (Social Marketing Section/DSWD Field Office Caraga)