AS PART of the continuous economic recovery programs of the City Government in San Fernando, Pampanga, the City Investment and Promotion Office (CIPO), in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Pampanga, launched on December 17, 2020, the local Negosyo sa Barangay (NSB).
The local NSB is San Fernando’s adaptation of the “Livelihood Seeding Program – Negosyo Serbisyo Sa Barangay” (LSP-NSB), a program of DTI that allows a wider reach of business development assistance by bringing government services closer to the people through partnerships between relevant local government units and DTI officials.
Mayor Edwin “EdSa” Santiago said the city government allocated P1.8 million for the development of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) whose businesses and livelihood were greatly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Dahil sa pandemic, maraming kabuhayan at negosyo ang nasira, at ang sobrang naapektuhan dito ang maliliit na negosyo. Kaya sabi ko, kailangan tulungan nating makabangon ulit ang mga to kasi alam ko na ang mga entrepreneurs, lalo na kayong mga micro entrepreneurs, ang sundalo ng ekonomiya. At pag ginamit niyo pa yan para makatulong sa kapwa ninyo, bayani ang tawag sa inyo,” Santiago said.
On Thursday, some 70 micro-entrepreneurs from the different barangays of the city received P8,000 financial assistance that they will use to buy materials, machines, or other resources needed for their businesses.
Elenita R. Ordonio, DTI Pampanga provincial director, also graced the event and expressed her gratitude to the LGU for adapting the LSP-NSB of the DTI.
“We want you [micro enterprises] to bounce back. That’s why the DTI and, especially, the City Government of San Fernando are providing assistance and services. Now is the best time to cooperate with the LGU and thank them,” the director remarked.
Meanwhile, Engineer Remedios Agoncillo, Local Economic and Investment Promotion Officer, explained that beneficiaries underwent thorough validation and evaluation.
“Ang opisina namin, strict talaga sa pag e-evaluate ng mga applicants. This is to ensure na totoong may negosyo sila, at gagamitin nila sa negosyo yung mga tulong at serbisyo na ibinibigay natin sa kanila,” the officer said.
“We also encourage them, though small enterprises sila, na magpa-register na sila sa DTI [Department of Trade and Industry], kumuha sila ng Mayor’s Business Permit, and other regulatory requirements bilang mga responsableng entrepreneurs,” Agoncillo added.
CIPO and DTI will further monitor the beneficiaries to assist and help them in business registration, business advisory or counseling, access to finance, seminars, training, and mentorship, product development, trade fairs, market linkage, consumer advocacy, fair-trade laws briefing, and other services.
At the end of the year, CIPO targets to reach 150 beneficiaries of the local NSB. (PR)