21 September 2020 – Assistance for entrepreneurs and business groups may be availed of at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Agriculture (DA), local government of Baguio and other national government agencies.
These were presented physically and virtually during the forum “Empowering Women Financially Over Covid-19,” last week at City Hall, in support of faltering businesses during this pandemic times.
On the top list is the DOLE Integrated Livelihood or Kabuhayan Program; grant for livelihood and entrepreneurial ventures for vulnerable and marginalized sectors with provisions for working capital, equipment, tools and raw materials.
Trainings on business planning, entrepreneurial development, productivity and production skills, micro-insurance; continuing technical and business advisory may be extended to interested entrepreneurs.
Micro, small and medium enterprises may also be extended maximum financial assistance of P250,000 up to a million pesos, it was known during the presentation. Self-employed individuals with negokarts may also avail of business starter kits or P20,000 maximum grant assistance; with provisions for self-protective materials: gloves, hairnets, face masks and aprons specially for those in food businesses.
Priority projects in this program are key employment generators like those in health and wellness, tourism, information technology, etc. and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) producers such as those in agribusiness, food processing and others.
Micro-lending, construction, and projects with motor vehicle purchases are not accommodated in the given assistance programs, it was emphasized.
Interested entrepreneurs, registered business groups, people’s organizations, and federations may consult with personnel from the DOLE regional, provincial or field offices; with basic requirements: application letter, beneficiary profile, project proposal, proof of counterpart, and certificate of registration.
For the Department of Agriculture (DA); livelihood programs, livestock, urban agriculture, and individual farmers and fisherfolks may avail of materials, technical and loan assistance.
Poultry and livestock farmers may avail of vitamins and technical assistance with the submission of letter of request, endorsed by the City Veterinary and Agriculture Office (CVAO), or registration in the Registration System for Basic Sector in Agriculture (RSBSA), registration or accreditation by the Department of Agriculture, and project proposal to the DA-CAR livestock program for evaluation and possible assistance.
For urban famers, a project proposal with endorsement from the CVAO, accreditation by the DA, and project proposal to DA-CAR livestock program, should be submitted for evaluation and possible assistance which may be in the form of seeds, plastic drums, hose, knapsack sprayer, garden tools. Technical assistance and know-how may also be extended to the applicant.
A loanable amount of up to P1M for individuals and P5M for cooperatives, associations, registered micro and small enterprises may be granted for purchase of farm inputs and equipment for production and improvement, and processing equipment and facilities.
Registration with RSBSA, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)/Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Cooperatives Development Authority (CDA), and DOLE may be required for individuals and cooperatives, associations and farmer groups. Project proposals, operational records for a certain time, proof of not having outstanding loans from other financial institutions, and proven track record may also be required.
Other requirements are business or farm plans, TIN or valid ID, collateral which may be tax declaration, title or real state tax receipt, RSBSA registration, and barangay clearance.
The city’s Baguio Revitalization Action for a Vibrant Economy Economic Stimulus Package (BRAVE-ESP) was also presented by City Budget Officer Leticia Clemente during the women’s forum.** Julie G. Fianza
