The Department of Trade and Industry in Davao Occidental has extended almost P150,000 worth of “Pangkabuhayan Business Kits” to 22 former rebels who surrendered to the 73rd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army.
The DTI-Davao Occidental distributed the business kits comprising of grocery items for the sari-sari store business venture of the recipients during the recent celebration of the Micro Small Medium Enterprise (MSME Week) recently held at the New Malita gymnasium in Malita town.
The assistance is under DTI’s “Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa,” an entrepreneurial program aimed at providing livelihood assistance to families, individuals especially the MSMEs affected by natural and man-made calamities.
“In this way, they are able to start their own business, have their own venture… to improve their lives,” stated DTI-Davao Occidental program manager Ma. Joycelyn F. Banlasan in a Facebook page video report of the 73rd IB.
Apart from the business kits, Banlasan bared that the recipients will also be provided with entrepreneurial and store management training “to make them bankable.”
Marilyn Bago, former secretary of the dismantled guerilla front Tala, was grateful to DTI for giving them the livelihood assistance they needed to start a new life and to help support their families.
Bago also thanked the 73rd IB for serving as bridge for the former rebels to surrender and live a peaceful life with their families.
10th Infantry Division commander MGen. Nolasco A. Mempin was also thankful to DTI Davao Occidental for its livelihood program which benefited the former rebels.
“This is a good start for our former rebels in going back to the mainstream society. We encouraged them to continue to work hard for the betterment of their life and their families,” Mempin said.
73rd IB commander Lt. Col. Antonio Quimado, Jr. said that the public has slowly felt the benefits of the government’s program on End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC).
The distribution of the livelihood assistance during the MSME week was also in coordination with the local government of Davao Occidental headed by Governor Franklin P. Bautista. (PIA-XI, Carina L. Cayon/73IB)
