DTI Agusan Norte helps disaster-hit micro entrepreneurs in Butuan City
By Mariesh F. Celedeña
BUTUAN CITY — Fifty-five disaster-affected micro entrepreneurs in Butuan City received livelihood kits from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Agusan del Norte through the Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) program.
PPG is a livelihood assistance program of the DTI to micro entrepreneurs who lost their business or livelihood due to calamities and help them rebuild their businesses.
According to the DTI, the livelihood kits, which contain goods and materials tailored to the beneficiaries’ specific trades, aim to help them restart and sustain their small businesses.
Lorijane D. Sacote, provincial director of DTI Agusan del Norte, said that the beneficiaries were entrepreneurs severely affected by the 2024 flooding brought about by the Trough of Low-Pressure Area and Easterlies, as well as those impacted by fire incidents in various parts of Butuan City and Agusan del Norte earlier this year.
During the assistance distribution on Nov. 10 in Barangay Obrero, Lovely P. Jamero, one of the beneficiaries and a sundry store owner in the said barangay, shared that her business was damaged by flooding in their barangay.
“My store was partially damaged. During that time, I even brought some of the grocery items I was able to save to the evacuation center, hoping that even with just a few items, I could minimize the loss,” she said. She also expressed her gratitude, adding, “I am thankful for this support and program of DTI. It not only helped us recover but also motivated us to continue our store.”
Each livelihood kit, valued at more than P9,000, includes essential goods and materials suited to different types of livelihood. Beneficiaries received various kits such as a food stall kit, grocery items, fruit stall kit, carpentry kit, and others.
Meanwhile, an additional 15 micro entrepreneurs from the province of Agusan del Norte also received livelihood kits as part of the continuing assistance provided by DTI. (MFC, PIA Caraga)
