DTI to Distribute LandBank Cash Cards to Affected Micro-enterprises in Pola

MAKATI CITY—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is set to provide more LandBank Cash Cards worth PHP8,000 to 10,000 for each beneficiary subject to necessary budgetary processes. This, following the oil spill crisis in Oriental, Mindoro caused by the sinking of MT Princess Empress. The DTI remains at the forefront of assisting the affected enterprises through several recovery programs and the distribution of livelihood kits, especially for the residents of Pola, Oriental Mindoro.

Through Presidential Directive No. PBBM-2023-337 dated 15 April 2023, DTI-MIMAROPA and its provincial office have conducted several activities to assist micro-enterprises affected by the oil spill. On the same date, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. together with DTI Secretary Fred Pascual and other members of the Cabinet led the ceremonial distribution of government assistance to the residents of the said area.

In particular, DTI’s Secretary Pascual has distributed Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) kits to beneficiaries to assist them in restarting their businesses. They were also given LandBank Cards containing immediate cash funds, which are intended to serve as their capital to operate their businesses.

Secretary Pascual provided an update saying, "Immediately after that visit, we have prepared a project proposal and submitted it for funding for the initial assistance of ten oil spill-affected micro-enterprises. We have also conducted Entrepreneurial Mind-setting and Business Continuity Planning Seminar, livelihood video viewing, and profiling through our Negosyo Center in Pola."

To date, DTI Oriental Mindoro has implemented several programs and undertaken actions to assist micro-enterprises in their recovery. This includes profiling the affected micro-enterprises which are mainly into fishing related activities. Based on the report received by the Office of the Secretary, currently, the DTI Oriental Mindoro has profiled a total of 239 out of the targeted 966 micro-enterprises in Pola, Naujan and Pinamalayan. As part of this profiling, an Entrepreneurial Mind-setting and Business Continuity Planning Seminar was also conducted along with a livelihood video viewing in Pola.

Action photos taken during the conduct of Entrepreneurial Mind-setting and Business Continuity Planning Seminar in Pola

"Rest assured that the Department will continue doing all the necessary preparatory activities through the support of our Negosyo Centers to provide livelihood opportunities to the affected enterprises in the province. We will also continue extending assistance to two cooperatives in Pola through our Shared Service Facilities or SSFs to assist MSMEs in their production needs."