Through the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Panghabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) program in partnership with the City of Valenzuela Government through the Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office (LEDIPO), the Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) are given Php 10,000 as initial capital to help their small business grow.

DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez pledged to give cash assistance to at least 1,000 small business owners from Valenzuela that will serve as their funds to resume running their own business.

NCR Regional Director Marcelina S. Alcantara said that the main goal of the said program is to support people who were affected by disasters, especially the ones whose businesses were forced to close because of the threat from COVID-19 pandemic.

“Ang atin lamang pong objective dito sa Pangkabuyan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) ay matulungan ‘yung atin pong mga Micro-Enterprises na galing po sa priority natin, kumbaga ay eligible beneficiaries. [Gaya ng] nasunugan [at] na-pandemic,” Director Marcelina Alcantara stated. [Our main objective here at Pangkabuyan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) is to help our Micro-Enterprises that came from our priority list who are eligible beneficiaries. [Like] houses were razed by fire [and] are affected by the pandemic]

In his remaining days in the office as chief executive, Mayor REX Gatchalian gave some advice to his constituents who were given cash assistance. He made sure that the money will be used wisely and effectively so that the PPG program will continue supporting their businesses.

“Hindi lang ito ayuda kundi dagdag kapital mula sa Dapartment of Trade and Industry (DTI) para matulungan kayong makabuwelo pa lalo. Alam nating marami po sa mga negosyante nating maliliit ay talagang lubhang naapektuhan ng pandemya dahil nagamit po kung saan-saan [ang kanilang kapital],” Mayor REX said. [This is not only aid but also an additional capital from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to help you grow even more. We know that many of our small entrepreneurs have been severely affected by the pandemic because they have used [their capital] everywhere]

The giving of cash aides to the next batches of Valenzuela MSEs, will continue in the next coming days — June 23, 28 and 30, 202 while the venue is still to be announced.