(MARIANNE BERMUDEZ / INQUIRER file photo)
MANILA, Philippines — The release of the one-time cash assistance to retailers affected by the imposed rice price ceiling will continue even after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. lifted the mandate, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual said in a press conference Wednesday.
“Tatapusin ‘yun’ [It will be completed],” he said when asked if the distribution of the P15,000 cash assistance would be affected.
He said that the funds allotted for rice retailers will be exhausted in fairness to those who have yet to receive aid.
According to DTI-Fair Trade and Enforcement Bureau Director Fhillip Sawali, there are still 5,738 retailers who have yet to receive the cash assistance.
The disbursement of the cash aid, which started on September 9, is being handled by the social welfare department.
Under the lifted Executive Order No. 39, the price of regular-milled rice was set to P41 per kilo, while the well-milled rice was at P45 per kilo.