In Northern Cebu DTI releases P2.5M funds for sari-sari store owners

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Trade and Industry Cebu has initially invested P2.5 million to help sari-sari store operators in Northern Cebu, that were badly affected by typhoon Yolanda last year.

It’s almost a year since typhoon Yolanda wrought havoc in Northern Cebu and disrupted the livelihood of the people.

Small retailers or sari-sari store owners in Daanbantayan, where Yolanda made landfall on November 8 last year, are back in business. Sari-sari trading is one of the major sources of income of the communities in Northern Cebu affected by the typhoon.

To aid them in continuing their small enterprise, the Department of Trade and Industry Cebu gave P5,000 worth of goods to each identified sari-sari store operator beneficiaries in 15 municipalities and one city.

“Basically, tabangan sila nga makapadayon sa pagpaninda, mabuhi ilang pamilya and learn the process of basic retailing ug unsaon sa pagpaninda,” said Elias Tecson, the agency’s Business Development Division chief.

In an interview, Tecson also disclosed the national DTI will give an additional P2.5 million – bringing the total to P5 million – funding for the Yolanda Livelihood Seeding Program in Northern Cebu before the year ends.

The 50 percent of the total funding can initially provide 500 small vendors the P5, 000 worth of retail products; while the expected additional money will generate another set of 500 recipients who are sari-sari store owners.

In Daanbantayan, 100 recipients have been identified; 100 also in towns of Medellin, San Remigio and Bogo City; 129 in Bantayan, Sta. Fe and Madridejos in Bantayan Island; 109 in Borbon, Sogod, Tabogon, Tuburan and Tabuelan; and 62 in Poro, Pilar, Tudela and San Franciso in Camotes Island.

On Monday, DTI officials handed over to Daanbantayan recipients the certificates of participation which they are going to present during the Diskwento Caravan on November 15 and 16 to claim their goods.

Tecson also taught sari-sari store owners on the right practices in running a small business and on how to grow the store’s capital.

Before the caravan, Tecson assured the other beneficiaries will be given the certificates in the coming days.

Meanwhile, the bidding as to what grocery store company will provide the goods is on-going, he said.

The agency has engaged Colonnade, La Nueva and Prince Hypermart in the bidding.  (FREEMAN)