Fernandino First. Mayor Edwin ”EdSa” Santiago and Vice Mayor Jimmy T. Lazatin lead lantern makers in the Fernandino salute after distribution of assistance. Contributed photos
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Thirty craftsmen of the city’s signature product received Wednesday P20,000 each in cash and materials from the city government pursuant to its Lantern Industry Rehabilitation and Support Program.
Mayor Edwin “EdSa” Santiago said the assistance was part of the city government’s interventions under the Economic Recovery and Rehabilitation Programs aimed to assist potential and existing micro, small, and medium enterprises.
“Bukod sa gusto nating lumago ang maliliit na negosyo, mahal natin ang kultura at sining ng pagpaparol dito sa San Fernando. Bilang isang matatag na gobyerno, kailangang mas lalo din nating patatagin ang ekonomiya at kultura ng lantern industry,” Santiago noted.
City investment promotion officer Engr. Remedios Agoncillo said they started accepting and validating applicants for the ERRP program in September.
“These beneficiaries underwent validation. We screened them if registered ba sila sa Department of Trade and Industry, and kung may business permit ba sila issued by our business license and permit division and dapat active member din sila ng lantern-makers association,” Agoncillo explained.
On behalf of the beneficiaries, the city’s foremost lantern designer and manufacturer Roland Quiambao thanked the city government for “looking after our welfare” and promised to “never stop making lanterns.”
“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa lokal na pamahalaan sa pangunguna ni Mayor EdSa at ng CIPO sa P20,000 worth of assistance na ito. Hindi po kami titigil sa paggawa ng parol lalo na ngayon sa gitna ng pandemya. Ang mga parol ng San Fernando ang magsisilbing pag-asa ng mga Fernandino at ng mga Pilipino,” Quiambao said.
From the beneficiaries’ end, 30 percent of the assistance given to them will be used in making affordable “Fernandino Parols” that will be sold exclusively to Fernandinos.
Lending his support to the activity was Vice Mayor Jimmy T. Lazatin along with some barangay officials.
