The Ilocos Norte government is doubling the amount of aid to assist small business owners and start-ups to PHP10,000 to grow their operations this year.

Elma Gabriel, head of the provincial government’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Office, confirmed this to the Philippine News Agency on Tuesday as she reported they are targeting a total of 569 beneficiaries this year.

“This will come in two tranches. The first batch worth PHP5,000 is intended for business registration and physical improvement of the establishment and the second batch or remaining PHP5,000 will be used for needed working capital,” she said in an interview.

Like in the previous year, Gabriel said the program will continue to prioritize small-scale businesses that are engaged in manufacturing, handicrafts, retail, and services, owned by women, poverty-stricken individuals, the elderly, and physically-challenged individuals.

Gabriel said interested applicants may submit applications for the cash aid to the Ilocos Norte MSME Incubation Center located on the second floor of the La Tabacalera building or through the designated coordinator for small and micro enterprise of their respective local government units.

The deadline for submission of applications is Aug. 15. (PNA)