DTI Secretary Pascual Distributes Assistance to Small Businesses in Samar and Pampanga

On 17 July 2023, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. together with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Fred Pascual led the opening of the Kadiwa ng Pangulo Caravan and the distribution of financial assistance for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the province of Pampanga. As part of the program, President Marcos witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) by different government agencies to expand the Kadiwa ng Pangulo in various Local Government Units (LGUs).

The Kadiwa ng Pangulo aims to provide high-quality and affordable agricultural products to Filipino consumers. Meanwhile, the distribution of financial assistance aims to aid small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, calamities, and disasters to help them recover and restart their businesses.

The said MOA was signed by different government agencies that were part of the Kadiwa ng Pangulo namely: Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Presidential Communications Office (PCO), and Presidential Management Staff (PMS).

Following the Kadiwa ng Pangulo conducted in Catarman, Samar last 14 July 2023, the simultaneous opening of Kadiwa Caravans only shows the administration's unwavering commitment to ensure every Filipino's access to affordable goods.

Aside from this, the Kadiwa is instrumental in expanding the market reach of products and services produced by MSMEs that are also supported by the DTI. Through this program, MSMEs were given spaces or booths where they can sell their products.

Together with President Marcos Jr., Secretary Pascual expressed strong support and cooperation of the DTI in expanding the Kadiwa ng Pangulo in different areas of the country. Kadiwa is also an important aspect in pursuit of the goal of attaining food security.

Through the Kadiwa ng Pangulo in Catarman, the DTI distributed assistance to four (4) beneficiaries of the RISE UP Micro Multi-Purpose Loan Program which received PHP 300,000 each. The DTI also provided financial assistance to one (1) beneficiary of the Wholesale Microfinance Program amounting to PHP 3,500,000. In total, the DTI was able to distribute financial assistance amounting to PHP 4,700,000 to the residents and small businesses in Samar.

Further, sixteen (16) beneficiaries of the Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) Program in San Fernando, Pampanga received PHP 11,900 each. Aside from this, seven (7) beneficiaries of the RISE UP Micro Multi-Purpose Loan Program received assistance amounting to PHP 6,351,000. In total, the DTI granted financial assistance to small businesses in San Fernando, Pampanga amounting to PHP 6,541,400. The ceremonial distribution of various government assistance today was held at the Benigno Aquino Hall in the capitol of San Fernando.

The Kadiwa ng Pangulo will simultaneously open in different parts of the country through the collective efforts of different agencies involved in the MOA signed today.

“As part of our mandate to ensure every Filipino's access to affordable and high-quality basic necessities and prime commodities, we at DTI will continue to work collaboratively with different government agencies to strengthen and expand the Kadiwa ng Pangulo. I express my deepest gratitude to President Marcos Jr. for this Kadiwa as this also helps MSMEs promote their products and reach wider markets,” Secretary Pascual added.

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."