Assuring the recent typhoon victims of the government’s support, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez joined other national government officials in the simultaneous visit to several evacuation centers in Marikina City last 16 November. The visit coincided with the relief operation organized by the Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go.
Typhoon Ulysses hit Marikina along with the neighboring towns of San Mateo and Cainta last 12 November, which submerged the areas in nightmarish floods. This caused severe damage to private properties and infrastructures in the city and forcing deeper into hardship industries that are still reeling from the effects of the pandemic.
Secretary Lopez assured the evacuees of the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) commitment to helping them, particularly the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) whose livelihoods were devastated by the flooding.
DTI is ready to assist those affected through the Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) and Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso (P3) programs.
“Naglaan po ang DTI ng dalawang milyong pisong ayuda para sa mga kababayan natin na sinalanta ng bagyo at nawalan ng kabuhayan. Hinihikayat din po natin sila na mag-loan sa ilalim ng SB Corporation’s COVID-19 Assistance to Restart Enterprises or CARES Program ng walang interes,” said Secretary Lopez.
Under the PPG program, DTI is extending livelihood support to MSMEs affected by different calamities. The program has provided training with livelihood kits to thousands of MSMEs in distress throughout the country.
Joining the Secretary at the visit are other DTI officials led by Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona, Assistant Secretaries Dominic Tolentino and Niño Contreras, and DTI-NCR Director Marcelina Alcantara. The team led the turn-over and distribution of 70,000 pieces of face masks to the evacuees.
“Libreng Face Masks Para sa Bayan” is an initiative on the Office of the President through the Department of Health and other agencies. Under this project, DTI is tasked to tap various MSMEs, cooperatives, and weaving communities to help in the production of reusable and washable face masks.
“DTI, through the Regional Operations Group, has been very responsive to the needs of our fellowmen affected by the calamities through our programs and projects,” ROG Undersecretary Lantayona expressed her compassion and support to the victims of Typhoon Ulysses.
“Makakaasa po ang ating mga kababayan na tuluy-tuloy lang po ang tulong ng Kagawaran para muling ibangon ang kanilang nasirang kabuhayan,” ROG Assistant Secretary Tolentino added.
Among those visited were evacuation centers located at Malanday Elementary School and Concepcion Integrated School which houses 481 and 393 families respectively. ♦
Date of Release: 19 November 2020