BANGUED, Abra – The Department of Trade and Industry provincial office, in collaboration with its partner agencies, recently awarded livelihood kits to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the province under the Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PBG) program to support the recovery and continuity of their affected businesses.
DTI-Abra Provincial Director Samuel Gallardo led the awarding of the livelihood kits worth P10,000 each to the beneficiaries from Bangued, Peñarrubia, Luba, San Isidro, Dolores, San Juan, Lagangilang, Danglas, Manabo, Tubo and Malibcong, Licuaan-Baay, and Lacub.
The beneficiaries were identified with the help of DTI’s partner agencies and the local government units. Each received a livelihood kit according to their existing business venture. Impulse sealer, weighing scale, drums, plastic containers, proofing sheets, knives, frying pan, stove, blender, and mixing bowls were given to those who have processing business.
Under agribusiness vegetable production, the beneficiaries received garden tools, drum, hose, plastic crates and knapsack sprayer.
For hog raisers, the distributed items included poultry feeds, anti-biotics, vitamins, and other supplements, and grocery items for the sari-sari storeowners.
Gallardo said that the program aims to support businesses which are struggling to survive due to crisis such as the Covid-19 or are in conflict zones.
“This is one of the primary focus of the current administration which targets less fortunate families and individuals especially those who under conflict-affected areas,” he said.
“The livelihood kits are not ayuda but an investment to sustain their businesses,” he said as he enjoined the beneficiaries to work hard to make their business grow and inspire their neighbors and family members to progress through business.
Before the awarding of the livelihood kits, DTI personnel conducted livelihood and entrepreneurial seminars among the beneficiaries.
Gabino Cawing, one of the beneficiaries from Malibcong, expressed his gratitude to the government for the PGB support.
He and his wife have been struggling lately to keep their sales in their sari-sari store going in Barangay Mataragan, one of the identified conflict-affected areas of Malibcong.
“We are grateful for this opportunity given to us. We will make sure that this support from the government will be managed well for the growth of our businesses,” Gabino said.
Sari-sari store owner Rosemarie C. Manilag from Taripan, Malibcong, also committed to use the livelihood assistance to her business so that one day she could also help and share her blessings to others.
This is the third quarter implementation of the PBG program in the province by DTI with the Provincial Government of Abra, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of the Interior and Local Government, local government units, and 24th and 69th Infantry Battalions of the Philippine Army as partners. – PIA-Abra
December 5, 2023
