CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu provincial government's Sugbo Negosyo program still has over 200 slots available for Cebuano entrepreneurs.
Governor Gwendolyn Garcia expressed frustration after learning that only 259 out of the 500 slots for season 3 have been filled, leaving 241 slots open.
During a meeting with Sugbo Negosyo stakeholders, including Cebu Provincial Board members and representatives from the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Garcia voiced her disappointment over the low number of qualified beneficiaries.
“Wala ko makontento sa gidaghanon sa mga qualified beneficiaries sa Sugbo Negosyo,” Garcia said during the meeting on January 9, as per Sugbo News, Capitol’s news arm.
She emphasized the importance of the program in lifting Cebuanos out of poverty.
The meeting was attended by Board Member Glenn Anthony Soco, Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) president Mark Ynoc, and former presidents Steven Yu and Kelie Ko.
Qualified beneficiaries receive a P200,000 allocation each as financial assistance.
The first 259 beneficiaries will receive the initial tranche of P20,000 on January 13, through QR-coded cards, which they can use to improve their business stores.
These QR codes will be used as payments to the Capitol's partner merchants.
To qualify for the remaining P30,000 for the second tranche and P150,000 for the third tranche, beneficiaries must pass an evaluation by the Capitol.
The program has a total allocation of P100 million, which will be divided among the 500 beneficiaries.
Garcia urged local entrepreneurs to take advantage of this opportunity, stating that it is a chance for them to improve their livelihoods.
Each office of the provincial board members will screen and select the beneficiaries for the program. — (FREEMAN)