Some 3,000 small entrepreneurs and 2,000 students in Siquijor have received a total of P10 million worth of cash aid as part of two social assistance programs of President Marcos that provide aid to certain sectors of society in difficult times.
Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, the main proponent of the Start-up, Investment, Business Opportunity and Livelihood (SIBOL) Program, and the Integrated Scholarships and Incentives Program (ISIP) for the Youth led yesterday’s roll out of the twin initiatives in Siquijor.
Designed to extend assistance to small entrepreneurs and students struggling amid the rising cost of living, SIBOL and ISIP pay-outs were held in Siquijor coinciding with the conduct of the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair in the island province.
“We cannot deny that our small-scale entrepreneurs and even ourstudents need our help to improve their lives. If we help our entrepreneurs and students to succeed in their respective endeavors, we empower them to provide positive contributions to nation-building,” Romualdez said.
The programs were created in response to the challenge of the Chief Executive to the House of Representatives to provide meaningful assistance to those who needed it the most.
The SIBOL program, an initiative of Romualdez in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), seeks to provide support not only to aspiring entrepreneurs and existing smallbusinessmen, but also to individuals seeking better employment opportunities.
“We believe that the business sector deserves this level of support. And why not? Through these enterprises, employment opportunities are generated and the economic growth is propelled forward,” Romualdez said.
“To all Filipino entrepreneurs, know that the House of Representatives is committed to the mission of equipping every one of you with thenecessary tools and providing the conducive environment for you to be successful. After all, your success ultimately redounds to the nation’s success,” he added.
Under the SIBOL program, 3,000 small entrepreneurs in Siquijor will receive P2,000 each.
Under the ISIP for the Youth, a total of 2,000 students from the province will also receive P2,000 each in financial assistance from the AICS (Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation) program of DSWD.
The identified student-beneficiaries will also be enrolled under the Commission on Higher Education’s Tulong Dunong Program where students can get a scholarship assistance of up to P15,000 per year.
The Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) shifted to high gear as it visited Siquijor and delivered over P300 million worth of various government programs and cash aid to 50,000 beneficiaries, covering 100 percent of the province’s family population.
Speaker Romualdez, one of the primary proponents of BPSF, said he was glad that the program has been successful in delivering government services to the people up to the far-flung areas of the country.
Romualdez represented President Marcos at the opening of the two-day BPSF at the Siquijor State College Gymnasium in Larena.
“Under the Bagong Pilipinas, all must grow. Although Siquijor is the smallest province in Central Visayas, it is included in the Bagong Pilipinas. Proof is the launch of the Serbisyo Fair in your place,” he said.
The BPSF is the realization of the President’s promise to bring government services closer to the people in the fastest and most efficient manner.
“This is Bagong Pilipinas – a loving government, not a lip service, but in deeds, and not that one that waits, instead it is the one that reaches out to address the needs of the people,” Romualdez said.
The BPSF in Siquijor was the first one held in all of Region VII and was hosted by its lone congressman, Rep. Zaldy Villa together with Siquijor Gov. Jake Vincent Villa.
The Siquijor leg of BPSF was also expected to further boost the province’s tourism industry as it would likewise benefit small business owners and MSMEs, which cater to the millions of tourists that flock to Siquijor yearly.
With 39 participating national government agencies, over 200 services will be offered to 50,000 expected beneficiaries during the festival of services. As of 10 p.m. on Saturday, 40,626 residents of the province have registered as BPSF beneficiaries.
A total of P300 million worth of programs and services were earmarked for delivery to the residents of the province for the duration of the two-day BPSF, of which P117 million comes as cash assistance.