SOME 3,000 small entrepreneurs and 2,000 students in Siquijor received a total of P10 million worth of cash aid over the weekend as part of two social assistance programs of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. that provide aid to certain sectors of society in difficult times.
Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, the main proponent of the Start-up, Investment, Business Opportunity and Livelihood (SIBOL) Program, and the Integrated Scholarships and Incentives Program (ISIP) for the Youth, led the implementation of these programs in the province on Sunday.
Meant to extend assistance to small entrepreneurs and students struggling amid the rising cost of living, SIBOL and ISIP payouts were held in Siquijor coinciding with the conduct of the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) in the province.
“Hindi naman natin maikakaila na ang ating mga maliliit na namumuhunan at ang ating mga kapos na estudyante ay kailangan ng tulong para umunlad. If we help our entrepreneurs and students to succeed in their respective endeavors, we empower them to provide positive contributions to nation-building,” Romualdez, leader of the 300-plus-strong House of Representatives, said.
These programs, according to Romualdez, were created in response to the challenge of President Marcos to the House of Representatives to provide meaningful assistance to those who need it the most.
The SIBOL Program, an initiative of Speaker Romualdez in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), seeks to provide support not only to aspiring entrepreneurs and existing small businesses but also to individuals seeking better employment opportunities.
The launch of SIBOL in Siquijor marks a new era of assistance to small Filipino entrepreneurs, as it maximizes the reach and transformative effect of various existing livelihood programs and services of the government, to encourage micro and small businesses to thrive.
“We believe that the business sector deserves this level of support. And why not? Through these enterprises, employment opportunities are generated and the economic growth is propelled forward,” Speaker Romualdez said.
“To all Filipino entrepreneurs, know that the House of Representatives is committed to the mission of equipping every one of you with the necessary tools and providing the conducive environment for you to be successful. After all, your success ultimately redounds to the nation’s success,” he added.
For the implementation of the SIBOL program in Siquijor, a total of 3,000 small entrepreneurs from the lone congressional district of the province represented by Rep. Zaldy Villa, will receive P2,000 each.
On the other hand, under the ISIP for the Youth a total of 2,000 students from the province will likewise receive P2,000 each in financial assistance from the AICS Program of DSWD.
The identified student-beneficiaries will also be enrolled under CHED’s Tulong Dunong Program (TDP) where students can get a scholarship assistance of up to P15,000 per year.
ISIP targets tertiary and vocational students facing financial challenges in pursuing quality education. They will receive financial assistance through the AICS program every six months to cover tuition fees and other expenses.
“Umaasa kami na lahat ng napili sa makasama sa programang ito ay nabigyan namin ng pag-asa, na ang kahirapan ay hindi hadlang sap ag-aaral, na sa pagsusumikap at tulong ng pamahalaan, ay maabot din ninyo ang inyong mga pangarap, at sa tamang panahon, ay maging bahagi din sa pagpapaunlad ng ating bayan,” Romualdez said.
The program is a convergence project with DSWD, DOLE, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
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