LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) – The city government of Laoag distributed business starter kits, tools, and food processing machinery to mark its 59th cityhood anniversary on June 19.
Eleven beneficiaries under the city’s Self-Employment Assistance program received “negokarts,” a business cart with a bicycle attached, and P5,000 as capital assistance to help them start small businesses.
Elmera B. Tabaniag, a resident of Barangay 23 San Matias who sells street foods, is positive that the capital assistance and negokart will boost her small business.
“For me, who walks around when I sell my food, this is a big upgrade because I now have means to transport my products. With the negokart, I can now go farther and sell more, especially with the capital assistance that was given. I want to express my deepest gratitude to the city government for this assistance,” she said.
Moreover, an additional 10 negokarts with various tools were distributed to beneficiaries from the Federated Rural Improvement Club (RIC) of the city.
RIC member Marian Andres, a recipient of the abovementioned, received her own negokart with tools including a weighing scale, pans, butane stove, and some kitchen tools.
“I sell all sorts of things; some days I sell street foods, sometimes it’s vegetables or meat. I am so thankful to the city government because this will make selling easier for me so I can help my family with our financial needs.
Some 19 baking kits were also given to the Federated 4-H Club to increase product innovations.
For the Sustainable Livelihood Project of the city, through the agriculture office, cassava processing tools were given to the Barangay Talingaan Cassava Processors Association, moringa processing tools to Santa Maria RIC, fish processing machinery to Metro LaPaz Fish Processors, and sugarcane processing tools to Barangay Bacsil South Sugarcane Processors.
In his message, Mayor Michael Marcos Keon recognized the contribution of businesses to the city’s economic growth and evolution.
“On the 59th anniversary of this beloved city, I just wish to say to all of you: let us continue to serve our people and let us continue to build Laoag City. Together, with the help of our province, together with the help of all the Laoageños, comprising all the different groups, societies, and organizations, let us all work together,” he said. (AMB/EJFG/PIA Ilocos Norte)
