DSWD to launch 'Tindahan Natin'

The Department of Social Welfare and Development will implement the Tindahan Natin Project where low-priced but good quality rice and noodles would be sold to low-income families initially in 15 towns of Bohol and Negros Oriental.

The project is a national government initiative for job generation, livelihood and food security. It involves selling of goods in stores that the DSWD, welfare offices of local governments, the barangay councils and National Food Authority have endorsed.

The initial implementation would cover Tanjay City and the towns of Amlan, San Jose, Bayawan, Ayungon, Bacong, Bindoy, dauin, Siaton, Pamplona and Villahermoso in Negros Oriental; and the towns of Bien Unido, Balilihan, Anda, Loboc, Catigbian and Dimiao in Bohol.

The National Nutrition Council had identified these areas for their high number of hunger and poverty incidents, which were classified as either vulnerable or very vulnerable or most vulnerable. There will be 55 outlets to be opened.

The TN stores will sell rice at P18 per kilo and fortified noodles below P5.00 each, following President Gloria Arroyo's wish to keep the prices of these goods at affordable level.

The criteria in choosing a TN outlet are: 1) the store should serve at least 250 households in a given area; and 2) the outlet maybe a retail or sari-sari store, a non-government organization, a new entrepreneur or DSWD's identified groups under the self-employment assistance program.

A LGU would recommend a potential TN outlet or operator, which the NFA shall accredit later on. If an outlet needs additional capital, the DSWD would provide a minimal amount as seed capital.

A beneficiary of low-cost goods from these stores would have a passbook that would show if his or her income falls below or stays within the food threshold. - Jasmin R. Uy