LAOAG CITY – To sustain the recovery of small business owners in the province, the Ilocos Norte government has allocated PHP4.5 million for 900 beneficiaries this year.
Ilocos Norte’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Office (MSMEO) head Elma Gabriel, in a media interview Friday, said the program is meant to assist start-ups and small businesses to continue and strengthen their business operations.
“The cash aid is PHP5,000. Application is open for start-ups and those who are struggling in their businesses,” she said, noting they have received around 300 applicants so far.
In 2023, the provincial government extended the same aid to 600 beneficiaries.
As more slots are still available for the Mataginayon a Progreso (Sustainable Progress) program of the provincial government, Julie Briones, a fruit vendor from Barangay Colo, Batac City, Ilocos Norte immediately went to the MSMEO located at the west wing of the provincial Capitol to manifest her interest to avail the program.
She was instructed to write a letter to Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc and fill out a form for her enlistment in the program. Her application will go through validation and screening, and once approved, the applicant will go through training and capacity-building activities to enhance the entrepreneurs’ skills and productivity.
“Maganda itong programa para makatulong sa amin na kapos ang capital at kaalaman sa negosyo. Sana ay mabigyan din ako ng konting puhunan para sa pagtitinda ng prutas (This is a good program for us who lack capital and knowledge in business. I hope to receive a small capital to sell fruits),” she said.
With a pool of experts from various government agencies to provide free training, Gabriel said the beneficiaries will gain more knowledge and insights on how to start and grow their businesses.
The training covers eight topics -- how to start your business, business registration and statutory compliance, business pitching and negotiation skills, visual merchandising, customer service, simple bookkeeping, product packaging and labeling, food safety and current good manufacturing practices.
The first batch composed of 211 beneficiaries completed their training last June while the second batch will be rolled out anytime this month. (PNA)
