CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The provincial livelihood Negosyo king Panyulung Program (NPP) benefited 27 thousand Kapampangans through loans granted by the provincial cooperative and entrepreneurial development office (PCEDO).

Mamerto Gatus, head of PCEDO said the provincial government has released loans amounting to P34, 310, 000 since the start of NPP  in 2010 under the leadership of Gov. Lilia “Nanay” Pineda.

“The amount of livelihood loan released for the same period of the past four administrations was dramatically surpassed by the releases made during the administration of Gov. Pineda” Gatus disclosed.

Gatus stated that 28, 566 benefited from the loan granted by the provincial government. He said the recipients were given 5, 000 pesos each to start a small business payable in one year, zero interest and no collateral needed. Among the beneficiaries of the livelihood programs are now vendors and sari-sari store owners.

“NPP aims to help poor but fortitude Kapampangans who want to start their own business,” Gatus said.

He added 29, 408, 719 or 98 percent of the 34.3 loan released was collected already.

Based on the data from PCEDO, the Negosyo king Panyulung Program has registered 113 associations with Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and has trained 4, 994 Kapampangans on cooperative and entrepreneurial development.

 In order to strengthen the programs, Gov. Pineda initiated the provision of 21 computers for 2010 Outstanding Cooperatives and allotment of 1M pesos for the capacity building program.

The PCEDO chief said Pampanga is the only province in central Luzon with successful livelihood program that was acknowledged in the recently concluded Cooperative Development Authority Gawad Parangal 2012 – The Most Outstanding LGU Award in Central Luzon.