DTI distributes livelihood starter kits to typhoon victims in Ayungon

 

DTI Negros Oriental Provincial Director Nimfa Virtucio (extreme left) turns over a livelihood starter kit voucher to a DTI-PPG beneficiary in Ayungon town during a distribution ceremony of the said assistance held July 27, 2023. (RAL/PIA7 Negros Oriental)

AYUNGON, Negros Oriental, July 31 (PIA) – Some 123 micro-entrepreneurs from this town received livelihood starter kits from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to help them revive their businesses that were affected by recent calamities.

Officials from DTI Negros Oriental led by Provincial Director Nimfa Virtucio distributed livelihood vouchers worth P7,500 to the beneficiaries of the department’s Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) Program here. 

The vouchers can be used in exchange for other goods at a DTI-accredited supermarkets, which they can also sell to in their respective stores.

PPG is part of DTI’s interventions for micro-entrepreneurs whose businesses were devastated by natural and man-made calamities like fire incidents and typhoons.

It aims to help them rebuild their businesses by giving them starter kits or livelihood packages.

“Ang economic sector sa gobyerno naka-realize pod sila kon masalanta ta labi na ang negsoyante ma-double whammy ka. Nasalanta ang imong balay, nasalanta pa ang imong negosyo. Unya kung masalanta ta ang ihatag sa atoa relief, tagaan ta kwarta ato man unahon ang atong pamilya so mabiyaan ang negosyo. Mao nang kasagaran sa gamayng negosyo na masalanta og bagyo or disaster di na kabangon og balik (The economic sector of our government realized that in times of calamities, micro-entrepreneurs get a double-whammy hit. Aside from their houses, their businesses also get destroyed and the immediate assistance we receive are relief items and some cash which we use for rehabilitating our families. In the end, businesses are left out),” Virtucio explained. 

Beneficiaries of this program were assessed by DTI officers and underwent orientation and capacity-building seminars before receiving their livelihood kits.

The DTI official underscored that the department does not give cash assistance to victims of calamities since the mandate of the department is to help re-start businesses.

“Dili man pwede manghatag og kwarta si DTI kay dili man mi DSWD. Ang ihatag ni DTI ang gitawag namo livelihood kits. But at least ba, nakatabang bitaw siya na makabarog mo, nakapadayon mo (DTI does not provide cash assistance because that is the role of the DSWD. What DTI hands out instead are livelihood kits. Somehow, it will help you re-start your businesses so you can continue),” Virtucio said. 

The beneficiaries for this batch of PPG distribution were victims of typhoon Odette in 2021.

Virtucio said the beneficiaries were already profiled by the DTI earlier, but were not served immediately as funds had to be requested for and replenished.

The beneficiaries of the program were thankful for the assistance they received, one of whom was Frosie Torres, a variety store owner.

“Daghan kaayong salamat sa mao na tabang sa among negosyo sa pagbangon pag-usab. (Human sa Odette) wala pa gud mi ka-move on kaayo. (Makapalit nako og) sari-sari (store items): mga bugas, tahop, tinapa na sulod sa tindahan (Thank you very much for this assistance you gave us. It will help us in reviving our business. We were not able to re-start our businesses after typhoon Odette hit. For now, I will use this to buy sari-sari store items like rice, tahop, sardines, and other items that I can sell in my store),” Torres said.

Aside from distributing livelihood kits, DTI also launched its 17th Negosyo Center in the said town. (RAL/PIA7 Negros Oriental)