BUSINESS AID PROGRAM. Governor Gwendolyn Garcia discusses with stakeholders the launching of the provincial government’s assistance program for micro entrepreneurs in Cebu province. The program targets 10,000 beneficiaries but expects applicants will reach 80,000 as the province has seven legislative districts. (Photo courtesy of Cebu Provincial Capitol PIO)
CEBU CITY – The provincial government of Cebu is set to roll out the assistance program for the micro businesses affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, targeting to help 20,000 beneficiaries.
The program will enable workers who were displaced from their domestic or international jobs and residents who belong to the lowest 20 percent income group to start or recover their economic enterprises.
The program launch will jumpstart the acceptance of applications both online and offline.
Asteria Caberte, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Assistant Secretary for Regional Operations, on Thursday said the agency is providing technical assistance to the Capitol for the project that is aimed to assist workers badly affected by the health crisis.
She said the DTI sees how the project brings government services and business development assistance closer to the people in line with the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte.
The Capitol, in partnership with DTI, will grant to qualified micro-entrepreneurs or beneficiaries their negosyo kits which will utilize coupons that can be used to redeem goods worth PHP5,000 or PHP10,000 as their seed capital.
Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said her office expected 80,000 applicants for the assistance program, considering that the province has seven legislative districts.
The DTI in Central Visayas will also assist in facilitating business registration for the business name, barangay micro-business enterprise registration, and the registration with the local government unit for the mayor’s permit.
It will provide business advisory such as counseling on small and medium enterprise, product development, financing facilitation, market/business matching, trade promotion, and investment promotion.
The agency will also help in business information and advocacy such as information dissemination, training, seminars, and workshops both online and offline, as well as referral to Micro Small and Medium Enterprise Development (MSMED) agencies.
After the launch, evaluation of applications is expected to be done from October 9 to 15, announcement of beneficiaries on October 16, orientation and consultation from October 19 to 24, awarding of beneficiaries on the 26th, and distribution of coupons by district from October 26 to 31.
Monitoring of the micro-business assistance is set to start on November 9.
Application for the program is open to residents of Cebu province who are at least 18 years of age at the time of application.
High priority is given to individuals in the lowest 20 percent income group and displaced workers as certified by the Social Welfare Development Office. (PNA)
