Antique, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Antique has allocated livelihood packages to 109 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and plans to extend aid to 20 former rebels in the first week of November, totalling PHP1.6 million in assistance.
According to a news release by Philippines News Agency, the recipients of the livelihood aid under the Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) program include MSMEs affected by Typhoon Paeng and former rebels eligible for the Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) program. Each beneficiary will receive PHP15,000 worth of livelihood packages aimed at boosting their capital and helping them navigate challenges such as a lack of employment opportunities for former rebels and capital needs for MSMEs.
The MSME recipients are from various towns in Antique: Bugasong has 16 recipients; Patnongon, 59; Belison, two; Sibalom, 20; and Hamtic, 12. These livelihood packages differ based on the business focus of the MSMEs, including grocery goods for sari-sari stores, rice for rice retailing, and tools for welding, Tabalanza noted.
The 20 former rebels hail from the towns of San Remigio and Sebaste, with three each; Sibalom, seven; Culasi, four; and Tobias Fornier, Patnongon, and Pandan, with one each. According to Tabalanza, ten of these former rebels have expressed interest in livestock raising, six in running sari-sari stores, three in rice retailing, and one in poultry or native chicken raising. Most of the former rebels, particularly those from Sibalom, have shown a preference for livestock or female cow raising for dairy production and farming activities.
The beneficiaries were given the freedom to choose their business ventures. However, before receiving the livelihood assistance, they are required to attend a seminar conducted by their Negosyo councilors to better prepare them for the challenges of running a resilient business.