DSWD 7 Says Beneficiaries Free to Buy Rice of Their Choice

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VII reiterates that Pantawid beneficiaries are given freedom to buy rice from any retailer of their choice.

“It is reiterated that rice subsidy is in the form of cash and Pantawid beneficiaries have the freedom to choose where to buy the staple food of their choice. We understand that some would like to have rice, others corn or even root crops,” says Director Ma. Evelyn B. Macapobre of DSWD 7.

On the other hand, there are beneficiaries of the DSWD Sustainable Livelihood Program who have organized themselves into Sustainable Livelihood Program Associations (SLPAs) and are engaged in business like selling rice.

Pantawid beneficiaries may or may not buy from these associations whose membership are mostly Pantawid beneficiaries also.

The DSWD 7 is urging the SLPAs who sell rice to get their supplies from licensed retailers.

Director Macapobre reminds all the workers of Pantawid Pamilya and Sustainable Livelihood Program to follow strictly the guidelines on the implementation of rice subsidy.

As of this report, while the DSWD is awaiting the result of the test conducted by the National Food authority on the alleged fake rice, it has also created its own Fact-Finding Committee to look into other related issues.