Sari-sari store owners affected by rice price cap to receive cash aid next week

Rice remains the top staple food of Filipinos. INQUIRER.net stock images

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will distribute cash assistance to sari-sari store owners who were affected by the implementation of enforced price ceilings on regular and well-milled rice.

This was under the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., said the Presidential Communications Office in a statement on Sunday.

READ: House sets P2-billion aid to ease impact of rice price cap

DSWD said that the cash distribution will run from September 25 to 29.

Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry will be assigned to identify sari-sari store owners who are eligible for the cash aid.

READ: Rice price cap may be lifted after harvest, Marcos hints

There is no information yet on the amount of assistance to be dispensed as well as the target number of beneficiaries.

As of writing, the DSWD has already released P92.415 million worth of financial assistance to 6,161 out of the 8,390 target micro and small rice retailers affected by the price cap.

JPV