MAKATI CITY -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) quickly disseminates the aid through the Livelihood Seeding Program – Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay (LSP-NSB). This program aspires to benefit the small business owners despite the Typhoon Odette sternly affecting their livelihoods.

Following the order of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte before the end of 2021, DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez has extended help by giving a total of 1,036 livelihood kits worth P8,000 to each beneficiary.

This support was given to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that were afflicted by Typhoon Odette in Region 6 at Guimaras (25), Ilo-Ilo (15), Negros Occidental (70), Region 7 at Bohol (150), Cebu (150), Negros Oriental (90), Region 8 (168), CARAGA  Surigao del Norte (304), Dinagat Islands (64).

Secretary Ramon M. Lopez together with DTI Regional Operations Group (ROG) Undersecretary Blesila A. Lantayona, Assistant Secretary Dominic R. Tolentino, Assistant Secretary Aster C. Caberte, regional directors, and provincial directors of these regions are joining forces in distributing the livelihood kits.

Since 2019 up to present, DTI continues to support in administering livelihood packages to small businesses all over the Philippines. A total of 969,216 MSMEs were given information on business tips and opportunities and 58,217 livelihood kits were handed out.

“Ang livelihood kits na ito ay maliit na tulong lamang mula sa DTI para makapagsimula ng mga negosyo ang ating kababayan, lalo na ang mga nasalanta ng bagyo. Layon namin na matulungan silang muling makabangon at mabigyan ang kanilang mga pamilya ng mas maginhawang buhay.”, said Lopez. (These livelihood kits are a small help from DTI to assist our fellowmen to start a business especially the victims of the recent Typhoon. Our goal is to help them begin again and give their families a chance to a comfortable life)

He expounded, “Hiling po namin ay patuloy ninyong palakihin at palaguin ang mga ito para mabigyan pa ng mas maraming trabaho at oportunidad na umunlad ang ating mga kapwa Pilipino.” (We wish our project will continuously grow to give more jobs and opportunities to our fellow Filipinos.)

Importantly, Usec. Lantayona stated, “Sinisiguro ng DTI na nakakarating ang tulong sa mga benepisyaro lalo na sa mga nasa malalayo at liblib na lugar na naapektuhan ng kalamidad. Isa-isa pong pino-profile ang beneficiaries upang siguraduhin na sa mga maliliit na negosyante mapunta and ayudang puhunan”. (DTI guarantees that our support reaches the furthest and even the most rural communities that were affected by the calamities. We make sure to profile each beneficiary to assure that our service will benefit the MSMEs who need it the most.”)

Subsequently, on December 2021, DTI grants additional assistance to the cities of Valenzuela (193), Navotas (196), Mandaluyong (200), and Taguig (184) with total of 773 beneficiaries with Alaskabuhayan Package from Alaska Milk Corporation.

“Ang pamahalaan at lingkod bayan ay nandirito lamang para sa Livelihood Seeding Program – Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay ay maisakatuparan. Puso, determinasyon, at kaisipang matatag ang kinakailangan.” Asec. Tolentino said. (Our government and public officials are always here to make the Livelihood Seeding Program – Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay possible. All we need is heart, determination, perseverance, and strong faith.”)

Without a doubt, Sec. Lopez furthermore acknowledged, “Ang DTI LSP-NSB ay patuloy na tutulong, hihikayat, at mamahagi ng karagdagang impormasyon upang mapalawak ang negosyo ng mga MSMEs sa buong Pilipinas. Dahil dito, tayo ay makakaasa na mas marami pang matutulungan ang DTI sa darating na panahon.” (The DTI LSP-NSB will continue to support, uplift, and give more information and knowledge to MSMEs all over the Philippines. Through this, we can assure that DTI can help more people in the coming years.”)

DTI aims to strengthen LSP-NSB to benefit more Filipinos.

This 2022, DTI is ready to extend additional assistance and livelihood kits to more small business owners that were affected by the Typhoon Odette.

For more details about the program, you may go to the nearest DTI office or Negosyo Center in your area. (DTI)