IBA, Zambales (PIA) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) assisted about 30 micro entrepreneurs in Zambales through the distribution of livelihood kits and conduct of business capability training under the Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) Program.
DTI Provincial Director Enrique Tacbad said the program helps individuals whose small businesses were disrupted by tropical cyclones, monsoon rains, and fire incidents.
“Our Pangkabuhayan sa Pagsulong at Ginhawa Program provides livelihood packages for victims of calamities such as fire, flood, typhoon and other calamities as beneficiaries of the program,” Tacbad explained.
He added that the PPG Program will assist affected MSMEs to continue with their businesses despite the calamities and assisting them to new opportunities by providing livelihood kits.”
The distribution activities began in Masinloc on November 7, where nine beneficiaries received assistance after experiencing losses caused by tropical cyclones Crising and Dante, and prolonged monsoon rains.
On November 13, DTI brought the program to Barangay San Miguel, San Antonio and provided livelihood kits to another nine recipients.
The same day, five residents of New Ilalim, Olongapo City obtained sari-sari store packages and attended an Entrepreneurial Mindset Seminar and Business Continuity Planning session to help them better prepare for future disruptions. One beneficiary from Castillejos was also provided support.
In Santa Cruz, six micro-entrepreneurs from Barangay Poblacion South received livelihood packages on November 20 as part of their recovery from a fire incident earlier this year.
Negosyo Center Business Counselors Larra Laine Reyes, John Paul Bagayo, John Lloyd Topaz, and TIDA Cathlyn Oledan led the training sessions where topics including financial literacy, basic risk management, and strategies for sustaining micro-enterprises after disasters were discussed.
DTI Zambales officials, together with barangay partners, facilitated the awarding ceremonies to ensure that the assistance reached affected residents across multiple communities.
The PPG Program supports individuals affected by calamities by providing starter kits and capacity development activities.
It also contributes to local economic recovery by helping micro-entrepreneurs rebuild their income sources and maintain business operations after emergencies. (CLJD/RGP, PIA Region 3-Zambales)
