LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -- Some 44 women and farmers groups from various towns and city in the province have received P6.89-million worth of livelihood loan assistance from the Provincial Government on May 29 at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center here.

Governor Amado Espino III told the recipients during the aid distribution to practice discipline and know their obligations specifically in loan repayment.

He said payments to the Provincial Government will again be released to other groups who wish to avail themselves of the program.

“The Provincial Government will find ways to possibly double the amount of loans to be awarded in the coming years,” Espino said. “An additional P5-million budget is on deck.”

Some 39 associations have availed themselves of the regular livelihood assistance loan.

Four groups also availed themselves of the support under the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) program, and one group under goat production program.

Three groups got loans for the first time while the rest were renewals of different cycles.

First-timers were awarded with P100,000 each, while the cost of loans for renewals varied from P120,000 to P200,000.

Recipients were from Mangatarem, Bugallon, Sual, Labrador, Bautista, Umingan, Tayug, Dasol, Alcala, Sta. Barbara, Natividad , Mangaldan, Manaoag, Binalonan, Mabini, Bayambang, Mabini, Anda, Rosales, Infanta, San Fabian, Basista, Balungao , San Jacinto and Alaminos City. (PNA)