MICRO-BUSINESS AID. Governor Gwendolyn Garcia (third from left) signs the tripartite MOA with the Department of Trade and Industry-Cebu provincial office and the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry to mark the start of the roll-out of the Sugbo Negosyo at the Cebu Provincial Capitol on Wednesday (Sept. 30, 2020). Sugbo Negosyo is a post-Covid-19 assistance program for micro entrepreneurs in the province. (Screengrab from Sugbo News video)
CEBU CITY – The provincial government of Cebu on Wednesday launched the “Sugbo Negosyo”, its post-Covid assistance program for micro entrepreneurs.
The provincial government signed a tripartite memorandum of agreement with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Cebu provincial office and the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) to mark the start of the program’s roll-out.
Speaking during the event launch at the Capitol Social Hall, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia reiterated the need for Cebu to start rebuilding the economy, which has been badly hit by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) crisis.
Garcia expressed hope that the Capitol’s micro-business aid program will spur economic recovery moving forward.
She said the program may become a model for other areas in the country to follow when it comes to helping their small entrepreneurs.
“Should this program succeed, we can continue this and could possibly add more funds to the program,” she added.
MCCI’s established entrepreneurs will provide mentoring to the beneficiaries of the business capital grant which will be given in kind and not in cash.
MCCI president Steven Yu assured the commitment of the business sector when it comes to providing the much-needed mentoring to make the program successful.
The program gives entrepreneur beneficiaries as much as PHP50,000 worth of starting capital.
The program has three categories, namely “Negosyong Padayonon” for Category A, “Produktong Sugbuanon” for Category B, and “Mga Serbisyo ug Ginagmay’ng Patigayon” for Category C.
Beneficiaries of Category A will be aided with capital worth PHP50,000 in the form of goods, equipment or raw materials.
A PHP20,000 capital is allotted for Category B, and PHP10,000 for Category C.
“Negosyong Padayonon” intends to repurpose, uplift, or enhance established micro-enterprises heavily affected by the pandemic.
“Produktong Sugbuanon” is aimed at both new and existing micro-entrepreneurs engaged in manufacturing or processing, while “Mga Serbisyo ug Ginagmay’ng Patigayon” is for new and existing micro-entrepreneurs engaged in trading or services.
The program recipients will claim the goods, equipment or raw materials from partner-suppliers through a digital coupon system.
The coupon is unique with its quick response (QR) code to ensure validity.
Potential beneficiaries should have entrepreneurial skills and ensure the most likelihood of success in their endeavor.
Garcia said she wants not to limit the program to the lower 20-percent income group, but rather open it to right applicants whichever walk of life they are from.
The Capitol has allocated PHP100 million for the program to be released through the 17 provincial board members worth PHP5 million each, and PHP15 million through the Office of the Vice Governor.
To ensure the applicant is a bonafide resident of Cebu province, a voter’s identification card is recommended to be included in the eligibility criteria.
More details and information are available at the program’s official Facebook page “Sugbo Negosyo” (https://www.facebook.com/
