By Leilanie G. Adriano (Staff Reporter)
LAOAG CITY–The Department of Trade and Industry in Ilocos Norte awarded 55 “Negosyo Starter Kits” to 55 beneficiaries from the towns of Paoay, Currimao and Badoc.
With the ongoing worldwide pandemic, DTI provincial director Rosario Quodala said they have widened the provision of livelihood kits to those affected by the pandemic including potential entrepreneurs, those who are stricken by calamities such as Covid-19, fire and armed conflicts.
To qualify as a beneficiary, Ms. Quodala said, “the receiver must not be a recipient of any social amelioration program from other government agencies.
In addition, Maricor Racela, DTI-Ilocos Norte senior trade industry development specialist and trade promotions officer said that each of the beneficiaries received around PHP8,000- 10,000 worth of sari-sari store and meat processing kits to start up a new business.
For one of the “Nego kits” beneficiaries like Janice Caliboso, she said she may not have been able to receive SAP from the Department of Social Welfare and Development Office but she was able to receive more through an in-kind grant from the DTI.
"Nagpapasalamat ako sa DTI sa binigay nilang‘Negosyo Kits’, malaking tulong ito sa amin upang makabangon mula sa epekto ng COVID-19 sa aming negosyo,” said Ms. Caliboso as she received her business starter kit in Currimao on July 6, 2020.
According to Ms. Quodala, the agency’s Livelihood Seeding Program-Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay (LSP-NSB) and Pangkabuhayan sa pagBangon at Ginhawa (PBG)-Livelihood and Entrepreneurship programs will continue to roll out in the province for as long as they have available funds for the said purpose.
Applicants, however, will have to undergo profiling and interview of qualified beneficiaries by “Nego Center Business Counsellors” to ensure they have not received any other amelioration programs of the government.