LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (PIA) -- At least 3,000 owners of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) from different municipalities in Benguet were selected to benefit from the SIBOL or Start-up, Incentives, Business Opportunity and Livelihood program, an initiative of Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.          

Aside from Romualdez, the awarding of the financial assistance was witnessed by Benguet Rep. Eric Go Yap and  Gov. Melchor Diclas which was held during the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair at the CCDC Gymnasium in La Trinidad on Sunday, April 21, 2024. 

The beneficiaries  received  P5,000 each through the Department of Social Welfare and Development's  Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).  They also received five kilos of rice each. 

The SIBOL program aims to empower individuals through small business opportunities, particularly targeting start-up businesses in the country. 

In his message, Romualdez expressed his unwavering support to the MSMEs. 

“As the leader of the House, asahan nyo na kami ay gagawa ng mahahalagang batas para makatulong sa inyo para tugunan ang pangagailangan ng taong bayan,” Romualdez said.

[As the leader of the House,rest assured that we will pass  relevant legislations to help address the needs of the Filipino people.]   

The SIBOL program is in collaboration with the different government agencies to provide support not only to entrepreneurs, but also to existing small and micro businesses, and to individuals who are seeking more employment opportunities.

It has teamed up with GCash, the Bureau of Internal Revenue, and the Department of Trade and Industry  to provide comprehensive support for business owners.

The SIBOL Program was first launched on February 18, 2024, in Siquijor with over 3,000 beneficiaries. It has since become a part of the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair. (RMC- PIA-CAR)