Antique ex-rebels, calamity-hit MSMEs to receive livelihood kits

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 11, 2023): Antique ex-rebels, calamity-hit MSMEs to receive livelihood kits (By Annabel Consuelo Petinglay)

LIVELIHOOD PACKAGE. The Department of Trade and Industry Negosyo Center personnel orients beneficiaries of the Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa livelihood packages in the town of Sibalom on July 31, 2023. Mutya Eusores, DTI Antique OIC-Provincial Director, said in an interview Friday ( Aug.11, 2023) 129 micro, small and medium entrepreneurs and former rebels will be recipients of livelihood packages to be distributed on Sept. 2023. (PNA photo courtesy of DTI-Antique)

SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Antique is preparing livelihood packages for 129 former rebels and micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) affected by Typhoon Paeng in the province.

DTI Antique OIC-Provincial Director Mutya Eusores, in an interview Friday, said their Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) packages that will be released next month will benefit 109 MSMEs and 20 ex-rebels.

The MSMEs need the kits to restart their livelihood, while the assistance will give former rebels their means of livelihood as they return to mainstream society.

“Each PPG package is worth PHP15,000,” Eusores said.

The beneficiaries chose their livelihood package, including goods for sari-sari stores, rice and fish trading and restaurant.

The MSMEs are from Patnongon with 59; Belison, two; Bugasong, 16; Hamtic, 12; and Sibalom with 20.

“The MSMEs were affected by Typhoon Paeng as per the Post Disaster Needs Assessment,” Eusores said.

The 20 FRs from Antique, meanwhile, are those who have availed of the End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) program.

“The beneficiaries, aside from the livelihood packages, will also have orientation on financial literacy and business continuity plan as part of capacity building,” Eusores added.

The orientation conducted before the distribution will ensure the sustainability of their chosen livelihood package.

DTI Consumer Protection Unit head Arnel Oliveros said they released 212 livelihood packages worth PHP8,000 each to MSMEs affected by the pandemic in 2022.

“So far, the previous year beneficiaries had expressed that the livelihood packages they received had fueled their livelihood,” he said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1207678