Laoag City, Ilocos Norte - Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Ilocos Norte affected by Typhoon Egay last July are set to receive livelihood kits from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to aid in their economic recovery. The livelihood kits, worth PHP5,000 each, are part of DTI's 'Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa' program, targeting various business sectors including food processing, tailoring, and furniture-making.
According to Philippines News Agency, recipients are required to participate in entrepreneurial seminars or business continuity training before receiving the kits.
Maricor Racela, senior trade industry development specialist and trade promotions officer of DTI Ilocos Norte, explained that the training is designed to help beneficiaries generate higher sales as they resume business operations. The first batch of 128 stakeholders from Laoag City received their kits on Wednesday, with the subsequent batches scheduled for distribution on November 21 and 22. Nora dela Cruz, a previous beneficiary, shared her experience with the Philippine News Agency, stating that the support from DTI enabled her to expand her sugarcane juice food products business. The program has been instrumental in helping her develop and market her products, including different vinegar variants, which have become bestsellers at trade fairs.
Since 2017, DTI has been offering the Kapatid Mentor Me program, providing free coaching and mentoring to Ilocos Norte entrepreneurs. This initiative aims to guide MSMEs in scaling up their businesses through 10 weeks of personalized, module-based consultations and coaching sessions with business experts. The program focuses on various aspects of business management, including marketing, finance, human resources, and operations, to prepare the MSMEs for global competitiveness. The mentees, under the 'big brother-small brother' concept of the program, are required to present their business development plans before graduating after the 11th week.