Quezon City reopens application for livelihood assistance

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government has reopened the application process for financial assistance and livelihood training for aspiring micro-entrepreneurs.

Led by the Small Business and Cooperatives Development and Promotion Office (SBCDPO), the Pangkabuhayang QC program provides up to P20,000 in capital for displaced employees, micro-entrepreneurs and vendors, laid-off overseas Filipino workers, unemployed solo parents, persons with disabilities as well as indigent residents.

Mayor Joy Belmonte highlighted the initiative during her inaugural speech last week, describing it as one of the flagship social services programs that she intends to pursue during her second term.

“The financial aid that we are providing can help our QCitizens start small businesses such as a sari-sari store, eatery or even an online retail shop. Its goal is to give them a sustainable source of income through entrepreneurship,” she said.

The applications were integrated in the QC e-services website to better facilitate the process.

To complement the application format, SBCDPO tapped barangay offices and computer shops to help applicants.

Several computer shop owners in District 2 were recently oriented and trained on how they can guide applicants through the online portal.

“We want this program accessible to all interested QCitizens, especially those who are aspiring to be entrepreneurs. By tapping computer shops in their barangays, even those who are not tech-savvy or do not have access to the internet can apply for the program,” SBCDPO head Mona Celine Yap said.

Applicants may also use the 3,700 internet access points across the city to access the e-services website, the local government said.

During the first phase of its implementation last year, the Pangkabuhayang QC program gave capital assistance amounting to P260 million to more than 25,000 beneficiaries.

Belmonte had signed an ordinance institutionalizing the program, which has over P200 million in funding every year for 20,000 beneficiaries.