‘Sugbo Negosyo’ provides P50K capital to entrepreneurs

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CEBU CITY – The Cebu provincial government’s micro-business aid program, dubbed as “Sugbo Negosyo”, will be formally launched on Sept. 30, giving entrepreneur beneficiaries as much as PHP50,000 worth of starting capital.

In a statement, the capitol said the program has three categories, namely “Negosyong Padayonon” for Category A, “Produktong Sugbuanon” for Category B, and “Mga Serbisyo ug Ginagmay’ng Patigayon” for Category C.

Beneficiaries of Category A will be aided with capital worth PHP50,000 in the form of goods, equipment or raw materials. A PHP20,000 capital is allotted for Category B and PHP10,000 for Category C.

“Negosyong Padayonon” aims to repurpose, uplift, or enhance established micro-enterprises heavily affected by the pandemic.

“Produktong Sugbuanon” is aimed at both new and existing micro-entrepreneurs engaged in manufacturing or processing; while “Mga Serbisyo ug Ginagmay’ng Patigayon” is for new and existing micro-entrepreneurs engaged in trading or services.

“We are rolling out the program to those who have the passion to help themselves to entrepreneurship,” Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said as she directed the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 7, and the Cebu Provincial Board to simplify the registration process.

This micro-business assistance program, made in collaboration with the DTI in Central Visayas and the MCCI, went through a series of meetings in the recent weeks.

MCCI’s established entrepreneurs will provide mentoring to the beneficiaries of the business capital grant which will be given in kind.

The program recipients will claim the goods, equipment or raw materials from partner-suppliers through a digital coupon system. The coupon is unique with its quick response (QR) code to ensure validity.

Garcia further said applicants spotted to have entrepreneurial skills and who could ensure the most likelihood of success in his or her endeavor should be given the chance to join the program.

She wanted not to limit the program to the lower 20-percent income group.

She added even those who used to have good jobs are now suffering from the restrictions and in fact, have not or may not be able to return to their jobs.

Rather than opening the program to as many people who are categorized by the Capitol’s Social Welfare Development Office as highly marginalized, the governor preferred to have the right applicants to the program whichever “walk of life” they are from.

“We want those who have passion to reboot or start a business. Those who can produce Cebuano products made of locally sourced materials,” Garcia said in Cebuano.

The capitol has allocated PHP100 million for the program to be released through the 17 provincial board members worth PHP5 million each, and PHP15 million through the Office of the Vice Governor.

To ensure the applicant is a bonafide resident of Cebu province, a voter’s identification card is recommended to be included in the eligibility criteria.

More details and information are available at the program’s official Facebook page “Sugbo Negosyo” https://www.facebook.com/sugbonegosyo2020) which is now up and running.