At least 80 more nano and micro-entrepreneurs here received subsidies from the city government through the “Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay” program on Friday.

The “Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay” is a livelihood seeding program of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) first adopted by the city in December 2020.

DTI-Pampanga provincial director Elenita R. Ordonio said on Saturday each program beneficiary has been awarded PHP8,000 worth of subsidy that will be used to buy materials, machines, or other resources needed for their businesses.

Alongside the “Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay” program, Ordonio said trade fairs, Christmas bazaars and caravans, livelihood skills training, entrepreneurial and managerial training, packaging and labeling training, and market matching are being conducted to help local entrepreneurs introduce their products and services to consumers.

“The DTI is the LGU’s partner agency in providing seminars and training to the beneficiaries,” she said in an official social media account post said.

To date, the “Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay” has 311 beneficiaries including food manufacturers, garment-makers, meat-processors, ice cream vendors, and other micro and nano entrepreneurs from the city’s different barangays.

Meanwhile, Remedios Agoncillo, city economic and investment promotion officer, said beneficiaries underwent thorough validation and evaluation.

“Ang opisina namin, strict talaga sa pag e-evaluate ng mga applicants. This is to ensure na totoong may negosyo sila, at gagamitin nila sa negosyo yung mga tulong at serbisyo na ibinibigay natin sa kanila (Our office is strict in evaluating our applicants. This is to ensure that they have businesses and they will use the assistance and services we have been given to them),” Agoncillo said.

She encouraged small enterprises to register with the DTI and to secure the mayor’s business permit, and other regulatory requirements. (PNA)