CEBU CITY, Cebu, April 4 (PIA) -- To provide a wider reach of business development assistance in ELCAC affected areas, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will be distributing more livelihood kits to small business firms around the country.

These livelihood kits are a package of assistance comprised of information materials, entrepreneurship training, and items like raw materials, tools, and equipment.

DTI targets to release a total of 105,394 livelihood kits for the first half of 2022.

From January to June 2022, 18,328 livelihood kits will be distributed to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) beneficiaries under the Livelihood Seeding Program – Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay (LSP-NSB).

The LSD-NSB is a special program that helps the target beneficiaries in far-flung barangays to establish their own business.

This program aims to bring the government’s services closer to the people through collaborations with the local government units.

Another 87,066 livelihood kits will be given to beneficiaries under the Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) program.

The PPG is an initiative that intends to support communities, especially microenterprises affected by fire incidents and other calamities including armed conflicts, in restarting their economic activities by providing sustainable livelihood opportunities for identified beneficiaries.

According to DTI Sec. Ramon Lopez in his presentation of the agency’s accomplishment report during the NTF-RTF ELCAC 7 Joint Meeting on March 31, the department aims to deliver P600M worth of livelihood support for the succeeding months of April, May, and June this year. 

For the distribution of the said assistance, Lopez said a total of 300 to 400 livelihood kits will be distributed per month in every province to the 1,500 target beneficiaries in each region in April, May, and June.

The livelihood packages are covered under the government’s ELCAC initiatives which it is part of the government’s efforts of intensifying its campaign on ending the local communist armed conflict by providing more relevant programs and services that will uplift the socio-economic status of the communities.

DTI will also hold livelihood seminars and trainings for the residents, including former rebels, to help them with their concerns about their businesses.

The department will also provide more assistance if their businesses will become successful and if they need further support for business expansion.

The trade department assures that the government will continue its efforts and initiatives in helping MSME owners, especially the ELCAC beneficiaries, to face the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. (RGC/PIA7)