BACOLOD CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provided financial assistance totaling P945,000 to 63 micro rice retailers in 12 areas in Negros Oriental on Thursday, September 14.

SIXTY-THREE micro rice retailers from Negros Oriental receive subsidy totaling P945,000 from the DSWD in Dumaguete City on Thursday, September 14. (Photo courtesy of DTI-Negros Oriental)
The distribution led by DSWD-Central Visayas Director Shalaine Marie Lucero under the Sustainable Livelihood Program-Economic Relief Subsidy (SLP-ERS) was held in Dumaguete City.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) identified the qualified beneficiaries who will receive a one-time payout of P15,000.
The SLP-ERS aims to provide essential support to micro rice retailers amid the implementation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Executive Order No. 39 or the price ceiling for regular milled rice at P41 per kilogram and P45 for well-milled rice.
This support is intended to help them cope with the losses they have incurred due to the imposition of price ceilings and the rice price freeze in the country as mandated by the President through EO 39, the DTI-Negros Oriental said.
Retailers with licenses issued by the Business Permits and Licensing Office who are selling regular milled and well-milled rice within the price ceiling are entitled to receive the subsidy.
Also present in the event were Gov. Manuel Sagarbarria, Department of Agriculture (DA)-Central Visayas Director Angel Enriquez, DTI-Central Visayas Director Maria Elena Arbon, Undersecretary Terrence Calatrava from the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas, and DTI-Negros Oriental Director Nimfa Virtucio.