Coop office supports countryside development

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Provincial Cooperative and Entrepreneurial Development Office (PCEDO) is pushing for countryside development by empowering small business owners.

The PCEDO, through Governor Lilia Pineda, distributed loan assistance under the Negosyu king Panyulung Program (NPP) amounting to P1.9 million to some 215 beneficiaries in Pampanga.

The beneficiaries came from districts III, III and IV of the province.

PCEDO head Mamerto Gatus told the beneficiaries that NPP is aimed at providing them opportunity to start their own small business.

Gatus said the local economy depends on small economic activities, wherein majority of the Kapampangans are relying on it.

He noted that 94 percent of the economy depends on them.

"We can say that backyard enterprises is the backbone of the economy, that is why we have to create programs supporting this sector," he said.

The livelihood program offers loan from P5,000 to P10,000 without interest and collateral only to those who are deserving and needy. It is payable in six to 10 months and renewable.

Luningning Vergara, provincial manager of public employment services office (Peso), said some of the NPP beneficiaries, especially ambulant vendors, were also given Nego-Kart as per governor's instruction.

"Aside from capital, we assessed our beneficiaries and picked those who needs cart for their business," she said.

NPP is a socialized lending program, which serves as capital or additional capital to the economic activities being undertaken by the marginalized sector in a given community.

Present during loan distribution were Mayors Jun Tetangco (Apalit), Ric Rivera (Guagua), Board Members Olga Frances "Fritzie" David-Dizon, Nestor Tolentino, Ricardo Yabut, Salvador Dimson, Councilor Tonton Torres and certain Arthur Salalila. (Herbert P. Mapiles)