The Perpetual Help Community Cooperative, Inc. (PHCCI) based in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, is set to spread holiday cheer by distributing free rice to around 80,000 of its members across the Visayas and Mindanao regions this Christmas. This initiative marks the third consecutive year that PHCCI has undertaken such a generous act, with a budget of PHP17 million allocated from the members’ benefit fund for this year’s distribution.
Each eligible member will receive 5 kg of premium rice, a gesture that PHCCI’s special program coordinator, Maricar Aranas Vensuelo, highlighted as a way to give back to the cooperative’s community. The estimated 80,000 recipients are a cautious figure, considering the cooperative’s total membership stands at 120,000 across various branches.
Joesilo Cua, PHCCI’s Chief Operations Officer, explained that the cooperative has adopted a conservative approach to this year’s budget due to unclaimed rice bags in previous distributions. The rice distribution will occur from December 16 to 28 at the PHCCI main office in Dumaguete City and all its branches outside Negros Oriental. Due to space limitations, satellite offices in local shopping malls will not participate in the distribution.
To be eligible for the rice, members must engage in transactions with the cooperative starting December 16. Maria Sashi Ivy Patrocenio, PHCCI’s chief finance officer, stated that members with outstanding loans need to pay at least PHP100, while those without loans must deposit a minimum of PHP100 into their share capital. These transactions can be completed either in person or via PHCCI’s mobile app.
Members must present an identification card and proof of transaction to claim their rice, which can also be picked up at other branches if necessary. This initiative follows PHCCI’s previous efforts during the 2021 coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic when they distributed dressed chicken to members.