A total of 40 micro enterprises in Iloilo City including 20 sari-sari stores, 10 bakeries, and 10 tailors received their Negosyo Kits from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) as part of their Community Upskilling and Enterprise Development (CUPED) Project at Iloilo City Hall on Sept. 12.

The city government, through Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion (LEDIP) Office, partnered with NGCP and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Iloilo that also facilitated the entrepreneurship training for the beneficiaries.

Included in the livelihood kits are groceries for sari-sari store owners; sewing machines and kits for tailors; and baking equipment and ingredient packages for bakers.

Mayor Jerry Treñas expressed his utmost gratitude to NGCP and DTI for choosing the city for the project.

The goal of the endeavor is to alleviate the economic impact brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially on convenience stores, bakeries, and modistes or dressmakers.

“We hope to continue to conduct programs to improve our entrepreneurs, our small business in the barangays. We want to level-up the small businesses in our markets now being developed,” said Treñas.

NGCP Chief Engineer – Transmission Line Engr. Raul S. Marquez said, “This livelihood will start a new life for you and for all of us. This is just a small token of appreciation in the city, because we look forward to strengthening our relationship with you as we continue to fulfill our mandate.”

“One of the mandates of DTI is to give assistance and reach out to the micro-enterprises in the barangays. For their concerns, they may visit the Negosyo Center at DTI and City Hall, and we are very willing to extend our services to you,” DTI-Iloilo Provincial Director Felisa Judith Degala said.

DTI-Iloilo Negosyo Center (NC) Trade-Industry Development Analyst Charlene Joy Adeja facilitated the discussion on managing finances, and DTI NC Iloilo City Business Counsellor John Robin L. Juatas discussed Business Resiliency for MSMEs.

The city government hopes that these projects will further prosper and may provide more assistance, especially to fellow Ilonggos.PR/Angelo Miranda/Iloilo City PIO