P1M available for entrepreneurs under lawmaker’s livelihood program

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Representative Aurelio Gonzales announced Saturday his appropriation of a P1-million loan and livelihood fund for indigents and people engaged in micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the third district.

The fund will be made available in the form of loans and/or livelihood carts under the “Sulong Trabaho nang Dong Gonzales” (STRA-DG).

Initially, Gonzales led the distribution of cheques amounting from P5,000 to P10,000 to qualified beneficiaries here over the weekend.

Gonzales said the fund assistance will help the entrepreneurs in expanding their capital and improve on their small business.

The assistance, with minimal interest, is expected to propel more people into MSMEs.

The lawmaker said that MSMEs are the lifeblood of the grassroots business sector.

The beneficiaries are engaged in food, craft-making and retailing.

Gonzales urged the entrepreneurs to expand their business and graduate to large enterprises and help in job generation in the barangay level.

In addition to the loan program, Gonzales is also giving away livelihood carts and pedicabs.

He said the pedicab program is the most viable support program for poor families living in urban communities. He said the program requires no capital, environment friendly and provides a daily dose of exercise for the operator.

“Rather than giving them money, it is better to give them livelihood that they can readily have an income,” Gonzales said, adding that his office has given a total of 60 units of the pedicabs since their inception last year.

Over the weekend, Gonzales distributed 10 units to 10 poorest of the poor families in the district. The pedicabs cost some P10,000 each and could yield a minimum of P300 to P600 per day on the part of the operator depending on the route of operation.

The beneficiaries are thankful for the support given by Gonzales and his staff.

Gonzales said he would be extending scholarship grants to the children of the families who could not send their children to school. (IOF)