ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has started the implementation of its PhP50 million livelihood assistance program to assist small traders displaced by the Marawi City crisis.
DTI Sec. Ramon Lopez on Friday said the initial funds is to provide assistance to regain the lost businesses brought about by the armed conflict.
Lopez said that part of the funds is being used to buy sewing machines, and other tools to shore up businesses of the internally displaced persons (IDPs).
“Part of the funds will include product development and access to market,” Lopez said. “The grant is around PhP5,000 per trader,” he added.
He said the DTI had already provided 10 sewing machines to the IDPs for their “Malong business.”
“We will distribute 100 more sewing machines,” he added.
Lopez said they are helping the IDPs sell their products under the Bangon Marawi Products Store.
At present, the products are displayed at the Ground Floor of the DTI Building on Gil Puyat Avenue in Makati City.
The objective is to introduce the Maranao products to the public as well as provide livelihood assistance to IDPs from Marawi City.
This follows Administrative Order No. 03 of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, mandating the creation of an inter-agency task force that would implement the recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of Marawi City and other affected localities.
“Critical here is to give them space to sell their products. We are talking to some malls in Iligan City to accommodate their products. Also public markets in Iligan and Cagayan de Oro to carry their products,” Lopez said.
Some of the products of the IDPs will also be showcased in DTI’s “Go Local” stores.
Assemblyman Zia Alonto-Adiong, Lanao del Sur crisis management committee spokesperson, has earlier urged the national government for the possibility to establish zero-interest and long-term loan for local traders in Marawi City.
Adiong said the financial package will be a big help to the people of Marawi City as part of the rehabilitation process. Adiong said the Maranaos are traditionally known as traders.
“They have mastered the art of trading. Being resilient and resourceful are the traits of Maranao,” he said.
Adiong said the economy of Marawi City has suffered major losses after the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (ISIS)-inspired laid siege right at the center of the business district of the city.
Lopez said the financial funds will be accessed through their Small Business Corporation (SB Corp.) and other partner micro-finance institutions (MFIs).
He said they will integrate the concept of Islamic banking to provide zero interest for the IDPs.
Lopez arrived in this city on Friday as the keynote speaker of the annual trade exhibit dubbed as the Zamboanga Peninsula Exposition (ZAMPEX). (PNA)
