PCUP to put up cooperatives for the poor

In another pro-poor program to help the destitute, the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor is putting up cooperatives in various resettlement sites.

Alvin Feliciano, PCUP chairperson and chief executive officer, said he wants to open business and livelihood opportunities to the poorest of the poor and to help them improve the economic viability of their communities.

He said PCUP is now coordinating with different local government units in the conduct of weekly capacity-building programs to educate the poor in putting up and taking care of their social enterprises.

"We wish to provide them with other income-generating opportunities so they could be able to meet their daily basic needs," he said.

Feliciano said PCUP is eyeing the participation of the youth and community leaders at the resettlement areas in equal access to higher learning toward better employment.

"The commission believes that poor communities have also wealthy manpower that can be utilized to attain adequate opportunities for the people and letting them be skilled workers and capable-business persons," he said.

Earlier, the PCUP chief said they have partnered with big private companies that could provide more jobs; adopt a poor community, and offer discounts on pump products, medicine, and review center.

Feliciano said they will welcome any assistance from any government agencies and other private organizations that are willing to give their support for the success of the PCUP's mandate to reduce poverty.