BALANGA CITY (PIA) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) distributed business kits to about 70 individuals in Bataan under the Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) Program.
DTI Provincial Director Eileen Ocampo revealed that the beneficiaries included former rebels, Overseas Filipino Workers, and micro, small, and medium enterprises.
“We provided livelihood kits to seven beneficiaries in Abucay, three in Samal, 16 in Hermosa, 10 in Dinalupihan, 11 in Balanga City, six in Orion, one in Pilar, one in Limay, and 15 in Mariveles,” Ocampo detailed.
Out of the 70 beneficiaries, DTI distributed sari-sari store packages to 56 individuals. The remaining 14 received specialized food and non-food packages, including materials for whisk broom production, carinderia operations, flower shops, coffee shops, and milk tea businesses.
“DTI Bataan awarded livelihood kits worth P12,000 each to the beneficiaries, amounting to a total of P840,000,” she added.
Bataan Police Provincial Office 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company Force Commander PLtCol. Elias Laleo Tait highlighted the program’s significance, emphasizing that the livelihood kits aim to help recipients grow their businesses.
“This program ensures that government assistance reaches not just a few, but a wide range of small entrepreneurs,” Tait said.
He noted that the businesses supported under the program could serve their communities by offering affordable products and convenient services.
Jovelita Yandan, a vendor from Balanga City and one of the beneficiaries, expressed gratitude for the livelihood assistance.
“Malaki po ang pasasalamat namin sa DTI at nadagdagan po ang aming pangkabuhayan kasi malaking bagay po talaga ito para sa amin at aming pamilya,” she shared.
DTI assured beneficiaries of continuous monitoring and support to help them sustain and grow their businesses.
The PPG Program is a livelihood seeding initiative designed to assist individuals affected by calamities and health crises, as well as communities in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. It also supports individuals identified by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict to help them recover or start their businesses. (CLJD/RPQ, PIA Region 3-Bataan)
