DTI PLEDGES P2-M AID TO ULYSSES VICTIMS IN MARIKINA

Assuring the recent typhoon victims of the government’s support, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez joined other national government officials in the simultaneous visit to several evacuation centers in Marakina City last November 16. The visit coincided with the relief operation organized by the Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go.

Typhoon Ulysses hit Marikina along with the neighboring towns of San Mateo and Cainta last November 12, which submerged the areas in nightmarish floods. This caused severe damage to private properties and infrastructures in the city and forcing deeper into hardship industries that are still reeling from the effects of the pandemic.

Secretary Lopez assured the evacuees of the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) commitment to help them, particularly the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) whose livelihoods were devastated by the flooding.

DTI is ready to assist those affected through the Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) and Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso (P3) programs.

“Naglaan po ang DTI ng dalawang milyong pisong ayuda para sa mga kababayan natin na sinalanta ng bagyo at nawalan ng kabuhayan. Hinihikayat din po natin sila na mag-loan sa ilalim ng P3 program ng walang interes,” said Secretary Lopez.

Under the PPG program, the DTI is extending livelihood support to MSMEs affected by different calamities. The program has provided training and seed capital to thousands of MSMEs in distress throughout the country.  Meanwhile, the department is supporting the financial requirements of MSMEs through the P3 Cares program.

Joining the Secretary at the visit are other DTI officials led by Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona, Assistant Secretaries Dominic Tolentino and Niño Contreras, and DTI-NCR Director Marcelina Alcantara. The team led the turn-over and distribution of 70,000 pieces of face masks to the evacuees. These face masks are part of those procured by the government through the DTI’s initiative to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

“DTI, through the Regional Operations Group, has been very responsive to the needs of our fellow countrymen greatly affected by the calamities like this. Under PPG and P3 programs, we help the communities especially MSMEs to recover their livelihoods or businesses after the devastation left by the catastrophes,” ROG Undersecretary Lantayona expressed her compassion and support to the victims of Typhoon Ulysses.

“Batid po ng DTI ang pangangailangan ng mga kababayan natin na labis naapektuhan ng nagdaang bagyo at nitong pandemya. Kaya naman makakaasa sila na tuluy-tuloy lang po ang tulong ng Kagawaran para muling ibangon ang kanilang nasirang kabuhayan,” ROG Assistant Secretary Tolentino added.

Among those visited were evacuation centers located at Malanday Elementary School and Concepcion Integrated School which houses 481 and 393 families respectively.