Governor Lilia G. Pineda and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Director Leopoldo de Jesus recently turned over P1 million livelihood grant to 216 qualified micro entrepreneurs from 10 barangays of Pampanga.
The governor, in fitting ceremonies held at the Benigno Aquino Memorial Hall at the capitol, lauded the DOLE officials for their continuous support to the employment and livelihood program of the provincial government.
She also encouraged them to increase their annual livelihood grant to benefit more micro entrepreneurs.
The capitol provided P200,000.00 counterpart to the DOLE livelihood grant for the conduct of capacity building activities to provide the beneficiaries with needed knowledge and skills in the management of their income generating projects.
She encouraged the grant-recipients to treasure the assistance given them by the national and provincial government and enjoined them to ensure the sustainability of their business ventures.
Pineda likewise suggested that they include ready to eat meals which they could sell to construction workers to further increase their earnings.
She informed them that the provincial government has various on-going district hospitals construction and renovation projects in the municipalities of Arayat, Porac and Guagua aside from repair and rehabilitation of public schools projects in other areas of the province.
Provincial Cooperative and Entrepreneurial Development Officer (PCEDO) Mamerto Gatus said that the livelihood grant benefited members of Negosyo king Panyulung Program (NPP) associations of Apung Maria in Sta. Maria,Macabebe; San Esteban, Macabebe; SMAC in Sta.Monica, Sta. Rita; Monicanians in Sta.Monica, Lubao; San Antonio in San Antonio, Guagua; Lucian in Sta.Lucia, San Luis; Rosarian in Sto.Rosario, San Luis; Mother’s Club in San Isidro, Magalang; Christ the King in Sapang Maisac, Mexico; and Samahang Katapat in Babo, Pangulo,Porac.
Provincial Board Member Monina Laus, chair of Sangguniang Panlalawigan trade and industry committee, encouraged the beneficiaries to double their efforts and commitment in order to succeed as they owe it to themselves and to the concerned government agencies which provide them with assistance and services.
She also pointed out that their success is also the success of the provincial government officials especially the governor who doesn’t tire of initiating and implementing projects designed to uplift the lives of the marginalized sector.
Laus, widow of former board member and prominent businessman Pinong Laus, shared with the program beneficiaries the family’s secret to success and that is “to pay your debts and obligations promptly”.
DOLE Director de Jesus also expressed his thanks to the Pineda administration especially the PCEDO and the Public Employment Services Office (PESO) for their strong commitment in the implementation of employment and livelihood programs.
He likewise commended the five entrepreneurs from Guagua, Sta. Rita, Porac, Arayat and Guagua who shared their success stories on how they were able to double, even triple, their business capital from the P5,000 financial loan initially provided them by the capitol.
PESO Head Luningning Vergara, DOLE Asst. Labor Attache to Jeddah Alex Inza-Cruz, Technical Services Division Head Nelly Punzalan and Provincial Head Rima Hernandez joined the check turn-over ceremonies of the said livelihood development program. (Erlinda T. Yutuc, Pampanga PIO)
