Ilocos Rice Retailers Received P15K Subsidy

One hundred seventy-one (171) micro rice retailers in Ilocos Region each received P15,000 cash assistance under the DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP). Said 171 micro rice retailers in public markets were validated to be compliant to Executive Order (EO) 39 which imposes Mandated Price Ceilings on Regular-Milled Rice at P41.00 per kilogram and Well-Milled Rice at P45.00, respectively.

The Department of Trade and Industry has conducted monitoring activities in key cities and municipalities since the effectivity of EO 39 in September 5, 2023. As a result of said monitoring activities 175 Micro Rice Retailers found to be compliant were endorsed to DSWD as possible beneficiaries under the SLP of the DSWD. Pay out for the other four beneficiaries shall be done after completion of the requirements prescribed under the SLP.

A total of Php 2,565,000.00 SLP funds was distributed by DSWD in the 12 key cities and municipalities in the region with the assistance of the LGUs, DTI, DILG and DA. The cash assistance aims to ensure availability of affordable rice for consumers.

Payout areas include the cities of Alaminos, San Carlos and Dagupan in Pangasinan; the cities of Laoag and Batac in Ilocos Norte; Candon and Vigan City in Ilocos Sur and; the City of San Fernando in La Union. Other areas include the municipalities of Sto. Domingo, Ilocos Sur; San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, Agoo and Naguilian in La Union

DTI, DA and NFA shall continue to monitor the compliance of rice retailers until the lifting of the EO 39. Compliant micro rice retailers are advised to coordinate until September 18, 2023 with their respective LGUs, DTI Provincial Offices and Negosyo Centers for possible inclusion to the DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).

RICE TARIFFICATION LAW LED TO RECORD-LOW RICE PRICES IN SEVEN YEARS - DTI CHIEF

Manila - During the press conference updating the public on the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez lauded the “game-changing” measure for bringing down retail prices of regular milled rice and well-milled rice to a seven-year low since the start of its implementation last March 5, 2019.

“From the DTI perspective, we are always after the impact on the consumers. We’ve been watching closely and helping temper prices of rice. We are glad to report that with the Rice Tariffication Law, we really see a huge difference from the record-high average price of regular milled rice at Php41/kg and well-milled rice at Php49/kg in September 2018,” said Sec. Lopez.

Based on data by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the average price of regular milled rice was recorded at Php36.32/kg while the average price of well-milled rice was at Php41.23/kg during the first three weeks of February. The retail price of regular milled rice was at the lowest since December 2013 when it stood at Php36.18/kg, while the retail price of well-milled rice was at the lowest since May 2016 when it hit Php41.19/kg.

Sec. Lopez even shared that during their price monitoring rounds in groceries and wet markets, he and his team saw well-milled rice prices ranging from Php36 to Php38 per kilo with some selling at Php34/kg when purchasing 10 kilos

The trade secretary expressed optimism that the Law would see the “best to come” in the coming years given the biggest Php10billion fund that will support farmers in improving their productivity and lowering their production cost; thus, increasing their income.

Among the provisions of the Rice Tariffication Law is the Php10-billion Rice Competitive Enhancement Fund (RCEF), which provides programs to improve agricultural productivity, competitiveness, and profitability.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar explained that the funds will be used to help mechanize operations, distribute certified seeds, provide trainings, and assist in financing.

According to the Department of Finance (DOF), during the first seven months of implementation until December 2018, the revenues from the imposed tariffs reached Php12.3 billion. Agriculture Secretary Dar reported that the additional Php2.3 billion will be used for crop diversification and insurance that will help farmers increase profits.

“Aside from the direct benefit to consumers and farmers, RTL was instrumental at curbing inflation from the record-high 6.7 percent in October 2018, which was outside the government’s target rate of 2.0-4.0 percent, to 0.8 percent in October 2019, the slowest pace in over three years,” explained Sec. Lopez.

Meanwhile, National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Assistant Secretary Mercedita Sombilla highlighted the impact of rice prices in the overall inflation, reporting that in October 2018, rice inflation was at 10.7 percent while rice inflation in October 2019 was posted at -9.7 percent. In January 2020, headline inflation was recorded at 2.9 percent, well within the government’s target, while rice inflation was posted at -6.5 percent.

“We can see that the benefits of the Rice Tariffication Law are not just felt by consumers, but also by farmers, producers, and the overall economy. Tunay ngang sa Rice Tariffication Law, ang bayan ang panalo,” said Sec. Lopez.

Mang Inasal Launches ACE QSR Scholarship for Deserving Young Women of Lipa!

Mang Inasal launched its participation in the ACE Scholarship Program for Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) Operations of Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF). This was part of the recent inauguration of Mang Inasal’s milestone 600th Store in Lipa, Batangas,

The ACE QSR program seeks to give underprivileged youth from Lipa the chance to develop the skills they need to be gainfully employed in the QSR industry.

Through the network of Pondong Batangan Community Foundation, Inc. in the Archdiocese of Lipa, four scholars from Lipa will be selected and join a class of students who will undertake a QSR Technical-Vocational Course in Anihan Technical School in Calamba. This includes six months of in-school instruction and six months of on-the-job training.

Here, the scholars will learn the rudiments of food preparation and food service. They will earn three TESDA certificates/qualifications at the end of the Program.

Being considered for the scholarship are single women aged 18 – 21, senior high school graduate with at least an 80% scholastic average, coming from a household with a combined family income of P200,000 or less, and willing to study and stay in Calamba City, Laguna for one year.

The scholars supported by MI will begin in June 2020 and their program will run for a year.

“As Mang Inasal grows as an enterprise, it also wants to do its share in building strong host communities whose residents are provided the chance to become more productive members of society. This is the least we can do to reciprocate the support we have been getting from our communities,” said Jojo Subido, MI Business Head.

DTI’S PRD CHEAPER RICE PROGRAM NOW AT SM

The Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Presyong Risonable Dapat (PRD) Program was launched at SM Makati on 21 December to give the public more access to cheaper rice. Consumers can now buy imported well-milled rice at Php 35 per kilo in 230 SM Supermarket, Hypermarket, and Savemore branches in the Greater Manila Area and North Luzon. SM now joins Robinsons Supermarket and Puregold in recently launching the PRD program this month. DTI’s PRD Program, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Food Authority (NFA), allows retailers to directly import rice and sell it at Php 38 per kilo and below. The program also removes traders from the equation as retailers can now source directly the rice and sell them directly in their stores, increasing access points of affordable as well as quality rice varieties.  The SM group also announced that the program will be available nationwide by early next year. The launch was led by DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez(4^th from L) and SM Supermarket President Joey Mendoza (3^rd from L). Also present were DTI Undersecretary Ruth Castelo(leftmost), Assistant Director Lilian Salonga (2^nd from L), NFA Director Rex Estoperez (rightmost), Savemore Market President Jojo Tagbo (2^nd from R),  and SM Hypermarket SVP for Operations Arnold Daluz (3^rd from R). Other retailers such as Metro Gaisano and Rustans are set to launch the PRD Program soon.