The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Leyte Provincial Office grants livelihood kits to 82 former rebels (FRs) and 17 COVID-19 affected micro entrepreneurs of Calubian, Leyte during the Livelihood Seeding Program (LSP) – Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay (NSB) and Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) Program Distribution of Livelihood Kits last 19 November 2020 at Brgy. Jubay, Calubian, Leyte.
DTI Assistant Secretary Niño Contreras, PPG Head for Visayas and Mindanao Region led the distribution of P5,000 worth of sari-sari store and food processing livelihood packages to these FRs together with Leyte Vice-Governor Carlo P. Loreto representing Governor Dominic L. Petilla, Representative Vicente Veloso of the 3rd District of Leyte, Brigadier General Zosimo A. Olivares, Brigade Commander of 802 Brigade of the Philippine Army, DTI Region 8 Regional Director Celerina T. Bato, Calubian Mayor Marciano A. Batiancela, Jr., DTI Leyte OIC-Provincial Director Araceli D. Larraga and Capt. Roberto Q. Beatisula, Jr., Batallion Commander of 93rd Infantry Batallion, 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army.
“We are bringing the services of the national government through DTI and other government agencies to the remote barangays and conflict affected areas of the country”, says Asec. Contreras.
He also emphasized that “President Duterte is there to help the people affected by calamities including those former rebels who are now in one with the government.”
The sari-sari store package is composed of: 72 pieces of instant noodles assorted flavor, 240 single packs of 3-in-1 coffee, 50 pcs. canned sardines, 45 corned beef and 144 sachets of detergent powder. On the other hand, the food processing package comprised of one unit two-burner gas stove, a frying pan and an 11 kg filled liquefied petroleum gas tank (LPG) with accessories. In addition to the livelihood kits, the beneficiaries also received grocery items courtesy of Senator Bong Go who co-funded the PPG program.
Mr. Rotchel Itol, a former rebel expressed his deep gratitude to DTI and the national government for the assistance received:
“Thank you very much to DTI and to our government for this PPG livelihood grant. This is a big help us (former rebels) as we start a new life”, he said. He encouraged all other beneficiaries to properly manage the pangkabuhayan kit they received. “Let us nurture the livelihood packages given by the government so this will grow and help us improve our lives”, Itol added.
The Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) Program is one of the initiatives of the government and DTI that aims to help micro entrepreneurs and individuals who were affected by natural and man-made calamities such as typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flash floods, fires, health emergencies or pandemics and local armed conflicts. The said program gives a fast and easy source of initial capital in the form of livelihood kits such as the sari-sari store and food processing package to help micro entrepreneurs recover from the effects of a calamity and for identified individuals like former rebels start a new business opportunity.♦
Date of Release: 4 December 2020