Some 2,000 residents, who are micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) owners, became beneficiaries of the Start-up, Investment, Business Opportunity, and Livelihood (SIBOL) program received P5,000 each as support for their livelihood recently.

Sibol program aims to empower individuals through small business opportunities, particularly targeting start-up businesses in the Philippines.

Beyond just offering initial financial support, Sibol goes the extra mile by partnering with Gcash-- an online wallet service, to further enhance the support they offer to business owners. This collaboration eyes to facilitate the growth and efficient management of businesses.

Under the leadership of Speaker Martin Romualdez, the House of Representatives recognized the important role of small businesses in driving the economy, which reflects in their legislative agenda that prioritizes empowering and fostering the growth of MSMEs.

"Ito ang pangako ng ating mahal na Pangulo na ilapit ang serbisyo ng gobyerno sa taumbayan. Kaya nandito kami kasama ang buong Kongreso, inaayos ang pondo ng gobyerno para makatulong sa inyo," Speaker Romualdez said.

"Ang maliliit na negosyo na gaya ninyo ay 90 percent na nakakatulong sa ating ekonomiya kaya ang pamunuan ng Kongreso ay nandito para suportahan kayo," he added.

Through the joint efforts of the Office of the President and Speaker Romualdez, this program seeks to empower individuals, alleviate poverty, and foster economic independence and resilience within communities across the country.

With his steadfast commitment to foster entrepreneurship and bolster small-scale enterprises, this initiative stands poised to redefine the landscape of business opportunities in the Philippines.

Elma Marasigan, 56, a fish vendor, thanked the House Speaker for bringing the program in the province.

“Dalawang taon na po akong natigil sa negosyo dahil sa pandemya at oil spill sa aming probinsya ngayon isa po ako sa makakatanggap ng pandagdag puhunan para makabalik sa pagtitinda ulit. Kaya nagpapasalamat po ako kay Speaker Martin Romualdez sa pagbibigay ng P5,000," she said during the the turnover of cash assistance.

Elsa Mellendres, 67, also a fish vendor for 40 years, also expressed gratitude for being part of the selected beneficiaries.

"Ang tagal ko na pong nagtitinda pero ngayon lang po ako nakatanggap ng ganitong kalaking tulong na pandagdag puhunan, lubos po ang aking pasasalamat kay Speaker Martin Romualdez," she said.

The Sibol program was first launched last February 18, 2024, in Siquijor with over 3,000 beneficiaries, which not only intends to empower entrepreneurs and drive business success in today's Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair, but also about how the program will support their journey towards prosperity. (BPSF)