Pangasinan livelihood assistance benefits small industries, marginalized sectors

Dagupan City (23 September) — A total of P1 million worth of livelihood assistance has benefitted 10 different women’s associations which qualified for the third batch of livelihood beneficiaries of the province’s livelihood loan assistance program.

The beneficiaries were: Imbo Women’s Association in Anda, Quinaoayanan in Bani, Sapa Grande in Burgos, Calzada in Mabini, Aliguas Cooperative Enterprise of Songkoy Multi-Purpose Coop in Calasiao, Kalipi ng Mapandan in Mapandan, Angayan Sur in Balungao, Nama Women’s Association in Pozorrubio, Mejia-Sison Trading Furniture Shop in San Nicolas and Zeus Lucky Pancit Misua in Tayug town.

Each association received check worth from P90,000 to P120,000.

There are now 37 associations and 825 individuals who benefited from the program which started in October 2008. Of the P4.5 million released, some P1.1 million was already collected.

The loan assistance program mostly caters to different sectors engaged in micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) including marginalized farmers/fisherfolks, community-based women’s group and individual entrepreneurs.

Facilitated by the provincial population office, the province’s livelihood program aims to generate more livelihood and employment opportunities for the underprivileged to increase their income and improve access to basic needs.

Ellsworth G. Gonzales, program population officer who heads the 10-man team which monitors and evaluates the program’s beneficiaries said the province’s livelihood program has a 100 percent repayment rate.

The province provides a maximum credit assistance of P100,000 with four percent interest in six months. However, a rebate of 2.5 percent is given if payments are made before the due date. The rebate will go back to the association as capital share.

This repayment scheme strategy, he said, encourages borrowers to become responsible and thus help the association sustains itself to the benefit of its members. (PIO/PIA Pangasinan/dos)