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."

DTI, USAID mobilize “Fish Right” Program for marine supply chain development in MIMAROPA

After a two-year hiatus since COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and United States Agency International Development (USAID) commenced the implementation of the Fish Right Program that aims to link organized fishers’ groups and incentivize the adoption of responsible fishing practices in coastal communities.

Representatives from the DTI, USAID, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and local government units convened in Busuanga and Culion, Palawan, on April 27-29, 2022, for an onsite Fish Right planning and site visit to the proposed beneficiaries. The pilot batch of people’s associations identified and assessed for the program include the Busuanga Federation of Fisherfolks and Farmers Associations, Busuanga Gender Network, Bogtong Fish Processors Association, 3BG (Brgy. Bogtong Bantay Gubat), Baldat Fisherfolks and Farmers Association, and the Barangay Quezon MPA Management Council.

Assistant Secretary Joan Karen A. Riola of the DTI’s Legal Services, Director Lydia R. Guevarra of the DTI’s Resource Generation and Management Service, and Director Patricia May M. Abejo of the DTI’s Knowledge Management and Information Service oversaw the onsite ocular and planning activity. Apart from this, the DTI representatives have also conducted an information session on the agency’s programs and services for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) during their visit.

In the next two years, the program aims to develop value-added products based on actual industry needs and in support of strengthening local food security, mainstream ecosystem-approach to fisheries management (EAFM) and responsible seafood sourcing (RSS) in business operations, and scale-up by creating more fish consolidation hubs.

“DTI is in constant partnership with organizations such as USAID and BFAR to meet the needs of our fishing communities in MIMAROPA. As the economic arm of the state, DTI’s role is to improve the lives of these fisherfolks and their families through livelihood and technology assistance, and this, subsequently, contribute to fisheries management and climate resilience in rural areas,” said DTI MIMAROPA Regional Director Joel B. Valera.