OVER 1,600 potential and existing micro, small and medium entrepreneurs from the seven provinces of Central Luzon received livelihood packages from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Central Luzon.
DTI-Central Luzon Regional Director Judith Angeles said despite the pandemic, the agency was able to distribute assistance to beneficiaries to restart their businesses.
"As of November 30, 2020, a total of 1,013 livelihood starter kits amounting to P7.97 million were given to beneficiaries from Central Luzon under the Pangkabuhayan sa Pangkabuhayan at Pagbangon (PPG) program of DTI," she said.
The PPG beneficiaries include victims of fire incidents, tornado and health disasters such as the Covid-19 pandemic, she added.
Meanwhile, Angeles said 635 livelihood starter kits were distributed by the DTI provincial offices in Central Luzon under the Livelihood Seeding Program – Negosyo sa Barangay (LSP-NSB), a project to bring the services of government down to the barangay level.
"This was conducted in partnership with other government agencies such as DOST (Department of Science and Technology), DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment), Tesda (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) and the local government units where many of the Negosyo Centers of DTI are based," she explained.
The LSP-NSB program is enrolled as a key program funded under the Bayanihan to Heal Act As One Act.
Aside from the kits, the beneficiaries were required to attend Entrepreneurship Development Seminars conducted by DTI to ensure that they have a good preparation for entering or enhancing their respective businesses.