The Department of Trade and Industry – Zamboanga City Office reached out to seventy-five (75) micro, small and medium enterprises amid the COVID-19 pandemic through its Livelihood Seeding Program – Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay (LSP-NSB).
The beneficiaries of the program were mostly micro enterprises and entrepreneurs whose business operations and profit were greatly affected by the pandemic and the imposition of strict community protocols by the national and local governments. The beneficiaries are from various barangays in Zamboanga City, namely: Sinubong, Pamucutan, Lumayang, Salaan, Lanzones, Tolosa, Capisan, Upper Dulian-Pasonanca, Bunguiao, Cacao, Calabasa, Quiniput, Tigbalabag, Sibulao and Lapakan.
Each beneficiary received a livelihood kit worth P5,000.00. Depending on the actual need and desire of the beneficiary, livelihood kits included either raw materials, tools and implements, small equipment, or a combination of any item.
Before the awarding of the livelihood kits, the DTI-ZCO conducted entrepreneurship seminars in the barangays. This was done to promote entrepreneurial mindset and values to the intended beneficiaries.
“We understand the challenges currently faced by many of our entrepreneurs. Along with the imposition of strict community protocols, businesses were greatly affected. Revenues plunged for many. There are even those who are no longer capable of generating income. We are glad that the national government launched this program to help MSMEs sustain their business amid this global pandemic”, noted Ms. Grace DC. Aduca, Provincial Director of the DTI-ZCO.
The LSP-NSB is a program of the DTI that allows a wider reach of business development assistance by bringing government services closer to the people. Priority assistance is given to MSMEs affected by natural and human-induced calamities, including health disasters arising from pandemics. A second batch of program beneficiaries is set to be identified and served, in coordination with the barangay local government units, sometime in August 2020. ♦
Date of Release: 6 August 2020