Laoag City—The Provincial Public Employment Service Office (PESO) led the salary distribution of the first batch of “Saguip Manggagawa Program” (SMP) beneficiaries at Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena, this city on June 25, 2020.
The SMP hired 141 employees of non-essential micro-enterprises who worked for 10 days under the supervision of their employers. They each received PHP 3,400 from the Provincial Government.
The program helped both employees and employers of non-essential micro-enterprises, whose operations were temporarily suspended during the lockdown, to recover their income loss.
“We are here to assist our small businesses in staying alive. Iyon ang pinaka-importante na tuloy-tuloy ang mga negosyo natin at ang mga kailian natin aycompensated pa rin, sumusweldo pa rin,” Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc remarked.
He further explained that the provincial employment group is devising long-term “strategies and solutions” to support the operation of small and micro-entrepreneurs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Nag-iisip pa kami ng mga strategies at solutions kung paano natin masu-sustain ang mga negosyo natin. Kumbaga parang‘band aid’ solution lang ito [SMP]. We will continue to consult, discuss, and plan. Baka ilang buwan pa itong COVID-19 pandemic kaya kailangangmag-strategize. Magplano na tayo kung ano ang mga pagbabago, ano ang mga gagawin natin sa ekonomiya natin,” he added
Meanwhile, Arvan Ravales, a four-year hair salon staff in Laoag City, extended his gratitude to the Provincial Government for the assistance given to him.
“First week of June kami nag-open. ‘Kas karigat iti panagbiag ita, awan unay kliente. No work, no pay-kami pay. Awan paggasto kadagiti inaldaw-aldaw a pagkasapulanmi. Agyamanak ta naikkan-kami ti tulong. Adda pagbayadmi ti kuryente kada danumen,” he disclosed. (Blessing Angel V. Agliam)