P500-K loan for Laoag folks

LAOAG CITY, Sept. 5 — Beneficiaries of a government livelihood program not only gain access to credit but also learn the values of social responsibility, honest work, and stewardship in Laoag City.
Six livelihood organizations were beneficiaries of a loan from the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the office of Rep. Rodolfo Farinas. This is under the Self Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran or SEA-K program.

Laoag City Vice Mayor Edward Domingo, Association of Barangay Captain President Chevylle Farinas, DSWD Regional Director Nicomedes Castillo, and CSWD Chief Aurora Corpuz awarded a total of P500,000 to the beneficiaries.

The SEA-K Program is a livelihood and capability-building program aimed at enhancing the socio-economic skills of poor families towards establishing and managing sustainable community-based organizations for entrepreneurial development.

The program enables the poor to have access to credit, promote entrepreneurship, and increase their income.

Castillo said government is helping the beneficiaries improve their lives through entrepreneurship and stewardship.

“We want to help you improve your lives,” Castillo told the beneficiaries. “But we want you to take responsibility with the loan we are giving you. Use the money to make your business or livelihood grow, after which, pay back so that this could be used to help others.”

The projects undertaken by the beneficiaries include the buying and selling of rice of Metro Gabu and Metro La Paz groups; handicraft-making out of water hyacinth by the Hyacinth weavers of Barangay Cataban; vinegar and basi (wine) making of groups from Barangay Cabungaan and Barangay Bacsil North; and making of Ilocano delicacies such as empanada, bagnet, longganiza by groups from various barangays.

Castillo clarified that the capital assistance is interest-free and to be paid in full after two years.

Aurora Corpuz said this will encourage the beneficiaries to work hard and increase in them the understanding of values such as paying-off debts, honesty, savings, and helping others as well.

The CSWDO will be supervising and monitoring the groups. (ANL/CPC-PIA 1, Ilocos Norte)