Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian confirmed on Tuesday that their office has started distributing the cash assistance to small rice retailers on Saturday, September 9 until September 14.
In an interview with DZRH’s Dos Por Dos, Gatchalian said that out of almost 500 small rice retailers, only 300 went to claim the assistance, but he assured them that they would come back.
"Kulang-kulang mga 500+ na mga small rice retailers, ang dumating mga nasa 300. Pero wag silang mag-alala, babalik kami sa mga lugar na yun," he said.
"Ngayon hanggang sa 14, sabay-sabay na. Multi-region na. Layunin natin, sana matapos natin ito by the 14th. Pero siyempre may mga konsiderasyon kaming tinitingnan," the DSWD chief continued.
Gatchalian explained that they need to get the full list from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), as they are cooperating with them.
"Nakikipagtulungan kami sa kanila, importante na masuri nila, kaya sinisigurado nila na ang mabigay na listahan ay accurate," he explained.
"Ang proseso, DTI ang mag-identify tungkol sa retailers, ipapasa nila sa amin at kami na magpi-pay out," Gatchalian further discussed.
According to him, the financial assistance for small rice retailers is part of the DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program that began in San Juan, Caloocan, Paranaque, Navotas, Quezon City, and Zamboanga del Sur.
Moreover, Gatchalian said that President Ferdinand Marcos instructed them to finish the distribution by September 14, considering the election ban for the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election (BSKE) on October 30.
