DSWD just awaiting list of beneficiaries
BY JOCELYN MONTEMAYOR and WENDELL VIGILIA
ON the first day of implementation of rice price caps yesterday, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said he expects distribution of a one-time financial assistance for small rice retailers to start by next week, and urged the affected traders to follow the temporary price ceilings ordered by President Marcos Jr.
Gatchalian, in several interviews, reiterated the President wants the distribution of cash aid as soon as possible. He said the Department of Social Welfare and Development is ready to implement the order as soon as the DSWD receives a verified list of retailer-beneficiaries vetted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Agriculture (DA).
“We expect to start distribution by next week. But if it were up to us, we can do it by Friday,” he said in Filipino.
At the House, Rep. Zaldy Co (PL, Ako Bicol), chair of the committee on appropriations, said the P2 billion aid to rice retailers that the House is eyeing may come from “unprogrammed funds” or excess revenues that the government collects once there are enough funds for the fiscal year.
Co told reporters on the sidelines of the panel’s budget hearings that the DWSD’s funds will also be tapped and the National Capital Region or Metro Manila will be the priority because it is the most affected area.
Co assured the public that only small rice retailers would receive part of the P2-billion aid, noting the DTI will come up with a list of qualified retailers.
“Only the indigents will be covered because there are retailers who are also importers or who own condominiums,” Co said in Filipino. “The rich rice traders who can absorb the losses are not covered because that’s against our guidelines.”
Gatchalian said the DTI and DA had to vet the list properly to ensure that only eligible beneficiaries will receive the assistance.
Gatchalian said the DTI is also finalizing the guidelines for the distribution of aid, which would determine how much the cash aid would be. He said DTI would have to decide if the amount of cash aid would be similar for all beneficiaries or if it would be based on the amount of rice that the retailers lost.
He said the maximum amount they give under the DSWD’s one-time Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) is P15,000 which is similar to those distributed to small businesses affected by the COVID-19 lockdown, the Boracay island clean-up period, and those affected during the Marawi siege.
Gatchalian said that since the price cap is temporary, he expects the cash aid to be given only once.
He, however, said DSWD is prepared to release more and distribute more financial aid if ordered by the President.
The President said the price ceiling is temporary as he expects the supply of rice to increase by the second week to the second half of September once the local harvest is done and imported rice arrives.
Gatchalian said the SLP has a P5.5-billion budget this year and there are enough funds left to support the aid for rice retailers.
He welcomed the P2 billion additional fund that the House of Representatives plans to raise and allocate for financial assistance to the small retailers.
He said the more funds available means more people will benefit.
Asked if rice farmers would also be given subsidy, Gatchalian said the DA has programs assisting the farmers.
He said DSWD, however, is prepared to distribute aid to the rice farmers if ordered.
The President last week issued Executive Order 39 that mandated a temporary price ceiling for regular milled rice at P41 per kilo, and P45 per kilo for well-milled rice.
Marcos pointed anew to smugglers and hoarders as the cause of rising prices. He said efforts to stop the smugglers and hoarders will continue.
EMERGENCY
Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo filed House Bill No. 9030 or the proposed Philippine Rice Emergency Response Act which seeks to empower the President to declare a “state of rice national emergency” and allow the DA’s Rice Competitive Enhancement Fund (RCEF) to be spent on programs meant to address the crisis such as granting cash assistance to farmers.
The bill also seeks to allow the government to reduce or suspend tariffs on rice, subject to certain conditions; allow the National Food Authority to import for buffer stocking; and use unutilized funds of different government programs for subsidies for farmers, consumers, and retailers.
It also seeks stiffer penalties for hoarding and other acts of illegal price manipulation, as defined by the Price Act, such as imprisonment of a minimum of 10 years to a maximum of 30 years, from only five to 15 years under the Price Act.
There will also be a fine of P1 million to P100 million, from only P5,000 to P1 million, under the Price Act. Government officials found guilty of price manipulation are given the maximum penalties under the bill.
Meanwhile, Reps. Luis Raymund Villafuerte (NUP, Camarines Sur) and Brian Yamsuan (PL, Bicol Saro) filed House Bill No. 7977 which proposes that liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), instant noodles, potable water in containers, and kerosene be included in the list of basic necessities as defined under the Price Act to protect consumers from unwarranted price increases of these goods, especially during times of calamities.
The bill seeks to amend Republic Act 7581 (Price Act) to include the four items in the list of basic necessities covered by the regular monitoring of the Price Coordinating Council (PCC) since Section 3 only includes the following basic necessities: rice; corn; bread; fresh, dried and canned fish and marine products; fresh pork, beef, and poultry meat; fresh eggs; fresh and processed milk; fresh vegetables; root crops; coffee; sugar; cooking oil; laundry soap; detergents; firewood; charcoal; candles; and drugs classified as essential by the DOH.
VIOLATORS
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the government will run after violators of the rice price ceiling.
He said teams have been formed to check on markets
“We are in the process of creating teams that will do the rounds on the markets to check on the prices and we are also doing a study on the possible cases that will be filed against those who will not follow the price ceiling,” he told reporters in Filipino.
Remulla said economic sabotage can be filed against violators, or “profiteering and other crimes that are against the interest of the public.”
Profiteering and hoarding are forms of economic sabotage.
Remulla said the DOJ is also studying the supply side of the issue on the recent spike in rice prices in the market to better understand the issue. He said the DOJ has a team looking at issues discussed in congressional inquiries on the prices of basic goods, especially rice, as part of the evidence gathering of the department.
Officials conducted an inspection at the Agora market in San Juan City as part of efforts to ensure compliance with the price cap.
Mayor Francis Zamora, who conducted the inspection together with Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Don Artes, Agriculture Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban, and other local government officials, said violators may be charged under the Price Act, or RA No. 10845 or Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act.
RICE ALTERNATIVES
The Department of Health pushed for alternatives to rice, like sweet potato or corn.
“Aside from rice, sweet potato, and corn, there are also some vegetables that can not only make us full, but also provides the needed nutrients,” said Health spokesperson Undersecretary Eric Tayag.
Tayag said the public may alternately eat rice, sweet potatoes, corn, and other alternatives in their meals.
“We can have this rotation of our basic food requirements,” he said.
He said the high prices should not prevent people from eating less or consuming less nutritious food. — With Ashzel Hachero, Christian Oineza and Gerard Naval
