Effect of Covid-19 Pandemic among Rice Retailers in Nueva Ecija

Abstract

This research studied the effect of the COVID 19 Pandemic on selected rice retailers in Nueva Ecija, Philippines. The researchers made use of guided survey questionnaires and phone calls to reach out to the 58 respondents of the study. The researchers found out that: Majority of the rice sellers considered themselves as greatly affected by COVID 19 Pandemic. Their diverse explanations were due to (a) the scheduling or selecting of those allowed to travel to the market, and (b) limiting kilos per person to serve the full town. Most of them stated that their sales decline by 50 percent at the time of COVID. Their financial issues were on collection rental payments and on wages of staff. Almost all of the rice retailers believe that their firm will survive even in these hard times. Regarding government aid, the majority of them indicated that they are not supported by the government while the remaining respondents claimed that they received help from the government and that the aid was given through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).