At least 525 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) in Biliran province will receive PHP5,000 worth of livelihood seeding kit from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The initiative under the DTI’s Livelihood Seeding Program-Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay aims to mitigate the economic impact of natural disasters or calamities, fire, and the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic to small business owners.

“The distribution of livelihood kits is the concluding part of the development training to strengthen the entrepreneurial competencies of beneficiaries,” said Jorge Modesto, DTI Biliran provincial director, in a statement on Monday.

MSME beneficiaries of the program include sole proprietors, cooperatives, or sectoral associations in different villages.

“Our office assesses the type or kind of kits we will provide depending on the needs of the recipient,” Modesto said.

He said only 50 MSMEs were invited during the ceremonial distribution in the towns of Biliran and Naval on Saturday in compliance with health protocols to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

The remaining recipients will receive the assistance in the next few days, he added.

Aside from the provision of livelihood kits, the DTI also offers other services such as facilitation of their business name registration, business advisory, and business information and advocacy. (PNA)