30 Bontoc entreps get P15-K each from gov’t

By Alpine L. Killa

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Thirty small-time entrepreneurs recently received P15, 000 each from the Dept. of Social Welfare and Development May 31 at the Bontoc Municipal Capitol.
    Recipients were the second batch of beneficiaries of the livelihood assistance grants (LAG), granted to families whose livelihoods were affected by the implementation of the community quarantine.
    This is funded under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act 2. 
    During the pay-out, Bontoc Mayor Franklin Odsey expressed gratitude of Bontoc to the DSWD for its assistance to small-scale entrepreneurs whose source of living was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. 
    With this, he encouraged the beneficiaries to utilize the financial assistance they receive as capital or additional fund for their respective businesses.
    The mayor added taxes being paid by businesses go back to the community in the form of projects and programs like what the beneficiaries have received.
    The first batch of recipients comprising 40 small-time vendors, owners of sari-sari stores, coffee shops, eateries, salons, and barbershops received their financial assistance of P15, 000 each Dec. 14  at the Bontoc municipal capitol auditorium.

The requirements in the identification of recipients are source of living is their business, not a government employee, not recipient of any financial assistance of the government under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act 2, not a pensioner or receiving a pension below P5, 000 with a business permit, and not a delinquent taxpayer.

On its website, the DSWD said LAG is one of the recovery and rehabilitation programs of the government which aim to serve families whose livelihood suffered losses due to quarantine measures and health crisis.