LIVELIHOOD RECOVERY. Barangay-based micro entrepreneurs pose with their village chief during the distribution of coupons for the "negosyo kits" under the Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PBG) program of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). At least 79 micro entrepreneurs in Cebu City each received P10,000 worth of coupons. (Photo courtesy of DTI-Cebu)
CEBU CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has provided at least 79 qualified micro-entrepreneurs in Barangays Mambaling and Buhisan in this city with “negosyo kits” worth PHP10,000 each.
The 78 micro-entrepreneurs from Mambaling, who were victims of fire incidents that destroyed their livelihood, and one from Buhisan whose business was affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic received the coupon form to enable them to avail of various merchandise items to restore or expand their business.
Clariza Ayuda, a beneficiary from Buhisan, shared how her ‘kakanin’ (rice-based snacks) business was severely affected by quarantine restrictions, limited mobility, and low foot traffic.
She expressed her gratitude for the assistance, adding the kits given by DTI are “big help” to small entrepreneurs like her to continue with their livelihood.
This PHP10,000 coupon may be redeemed for groceries, kitchenware, clothing and textile items in Gaisano Mall in Mambaling which the beneficiaries will then use in their enterprise.
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, who pushed for the provision of such a livelihood assistance package for victims of calamities, delivered a message of solidarity and hope through a video call to the beneficiaries.
Apart from the livelihood kits, all 79 beneficiaries received food packs and facemasks from the office of Go.
Cooperators during the livelihood aid turn-over last Aug. 20 include the office of Go, local governments of Cebu City, and the affected barangays, the Bureau of Fire Protection in Region 7, and Gaisano Mall Mambaling.
Meanwhile, the DTI also targeted 131 barangays in Iloilo this year for the Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay (NSB) program which aims to increase the access to services of aspiring and existing entrepreneurs.
This year's NSB includes the Livelihood Seeding Program (LSP) to help rehabilitate small enterprises that were affected by the pandemic.
In Bohol, 480 beneficiaries from 99 barangays in 36 municipalities were covered by the NSB-LSP.
The DTI has targeted 212 barangays in the second round of the NSB-LSP.
In Siquijor, around 1,000 attended the DTI orientation on services they can avail from the agency.
The DTI’s livelihood program “is also a post-disaster response mechanism to address the need for continued economic activities in the affected areas”.
The distribution is in line with the DTI’s Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PBG), a livelihood seeding and entrepreneurship development program that aims to assist individuals and families affected by calamities, disasters, and the pandemic.
The program is also available to those who make use of the Balik Probinsya Program to recover or start their business. (PNA)
