‘Beneficiaries free to choose, buy rice’

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7 said that beneficiaries of the Modified Conditional Cash Transfer (MCCT) and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) are free to buy rice from any retailer of their choice.

Sta. Fe Mayor Jose Esgana earlier alleged that recipients of the DSWD 7’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) sold rice to MCCT and 4Ps beneficiaries in Barangay Okoy last week.

The issue was raised after some MCCT and 4Ps beneficiaries claimed that they have been sold fake rice during the distribution of financial assistance in Okoy.

“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 while others want corn or even root crops,” said Ma. Evelyn Macapobre, DSWD 7 director.

But Macapobre admitted that SLP beneficiaries have organized themselves into associations and are engaged in businesses such as selling rice.

Macapobre, however, emphasized that Pantawid and MCCT beneficiaries may or may not buy from them.

She urged SLP associations who sell rice to get their supplies from licensed retailers.

DSWD 7 is still waiting for the results of the test conducted by the National Food Authority (NFA) to determine if the rice samples collected in Sta. Fe were indeed fake.

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