LIVELIHOOD PACKAGE. Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) affected by Typhoon Paeng in Bugasong, Antique, receive their livelihood package from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Sept. 6, 2023. DTI Antique trade industry and development specialist Jenny May Tabalanza said in an interview Friday (Oct. 27, 2023) that PHP1.6 million worth of livelihood packages benefit 109 MSMEs and 20 former rebels in the province. (Photo courtesy of DTI Antique)
SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Antique has already released livelihood packages to 109 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as it also gears to distribute to 20 former rebels (FRs) on the first week of November, bringing the total to PHP1.6 million.
DTI Antique trade industry and development specialist Jenny May Tabalanza said the recipients of assistance under the Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) are MSMEs affected by Typhoon Paeng and former rebels who qualified for ending local communist armed conflict (ELCAC) program.
“Each of the beneficiaries will have PHP15,000 worth of livelihood packages to increase their capital and help them overcome obstacles,” she said.
Among the obstacles are the lack of employment opportunities for former rebels and the need for capital on MSMEs.
Tabalanza said the MSMEs came from the towns of Bugasong with 16; Patnongon, 59; Belison, two; Sibalom, 20; and Hamtic, 12.
“The livelihood packages were in different forms like grocery goods for sari-sari stores, rice for rice retailing, and tools for welding,” she added.
The 20 FRs are from San Remigio and Sebaste towns, with three each; Sibalom, seven; Culasi, four; and Tobias Fornier, Patnongon and Pandan, with one recipient each.
“Ten of them have manifested interest to engage in livestock raising, six on sari-sari stores, three on rice retailing, and one on poultry or native chicken raising,” Tabalanza said.
She said most FRs, especially from Sibalom, preferred livestock or female cow raising for dairy production and farming activity.
The recipients were the ones who chose their business.
Before they receive the assistance, they need to undergo a seminar conducted by their Negosyo councilors to become more resilient in their businesses. (PNA)
