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).

Over 43k Safety Seals Issued as more Businesses Apply

A total of 43,332 public and private establishments have been issued Safety Seal Certifications as of 1 October 2021, through the joint efforts of the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), including local government units (LGUs), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Tourism (DOT), and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). The Safety Seal Certification program indicates the compliance of establishments to the minimum public health standards (MPHS) set by the government.

DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said the certification program is indeed beneficial to the country’s recovering economy as it boosts the confidence of consumers in going out and patronizing business in the new normal with the assurance that a business establishment is compliant with health protocols.

The trade chief encouraged more businesses to adopt the seal as an effective measure in curbing the spread of the COVID-19 virus. “Businesses can do their share in the fight against the pandemic and create a healthy space for consumers to transact their purchases and for employees to gainfully and safely earn a living,” Lopez added.

DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año, on the other hand, told owners of establishments, especially those in areas under strict quarantine restrictions, to take this time to apply for a Safety Seal. “Applying for a Safety Seal is not mandatory. However, business establishments are highly encouraged to apply since this will also help them attract customers which eventually lead to increased sales and profit,” he said.

Since its implementation in May 2021, a total of 85,731 applications were received by the issuing agencies as reported by the Safety Seal Technical Working Group (TWG); 50.54% or 43,332 applications were approved while 11.50% or 9,858 applications were either denied or referred to the appropriate agency. The remaining percentage represents those that are still in the inspection process.

"I commend and congratulate the establishments that have taken the lead in securing their Safety Seal certifications. This will build confidence that their respective companies are committed to ensuring the health and safety of their stakeholders and workers,” said DOLE Secretary Silvestre "Bebot" Bello III.

Pursuant to the DOH-DILG-DOLE-DOT-DTI Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 21-01 Series of 2021, otherwise known as the Implementing Guidelines of the Safety Seal Certification Program, a business establishment is eligible to apply for a Safety Seal given that it is duly registered, adopting the Staysafe.ph or any other Local Government Unit (LGU) - mandated digital contact tracing application, and most importantly, strictly following and implementing the MPHS set by the government.

“The implementation of the Safety Seal Program is a very laudable initiative that highly reinforces our country’s response to combat COVID-19. As we gradually reopen our economy, it is important to ensure that our people are safe, and adherence to Minimum Public Health Standards (MPHS) is one vital key to this aspect,” said Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III.

Likewise, the DOT reaches out to tourism establishment owners to take this step. "The Safety Seal certification program bodes well with the DOT's priority to ensure the health and safety of both tourists and tourism workers. That being said, I am encouraging all tourism establishments to apply for a Safety Seal, strictly comply with the health and safety guidelines, and have all their employees vaccinated. Let us continue to make travel fun and safe for all," said DOT Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat.

The Safety Seal TWG assures the public that the government continuously exerts the best efforts with a whole-of-government and whole-of-society coordination in support of the Inter-Agency Task Force against COVID-19's (IATF) Prevent-Detect-Isolate-Treat-Reintegrate (PDITR) strategy.

Moreover, they urged the public to be more informed of various ways to keep safe from COVID-19 and its variants, following the announcement on the new classification framework advocating the principles of 3C’s (Closed, Crowded, and Close Contact) Strategy. This framework employs Alert Level Systems that shall determine, among others, the protocols and allowable operational capacity of business establishments per city/municipality.

Since September 16, Metro Manila is classified under Alert Level 4. This implies that establishments and/or activities classified as high-risk for transmission shall not be allowed to operate. For the allowed operational capacity of dine-in and al fresco restaurants, barbershops, personal care services, and the likes, the complete Alert Level Systems guidelines may be viewed here.

For more information regarding the Safety Seal’s respective application processes by the issuing agencies, please visit the following microsites: