10,000 families benefit from QC livelihood program

The Puhunang Pangkabuhayan Sikap Buhay, a livelihood program of the Quezon City government, has now assisted at least 10,000 poor families in the city.

In a report to Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr., La Raine Abad Sarmiento, officer in charge of the Task Force Sikap Buhay, said P130 million in loan assistance has been provided to small businesses.

The program, created in 2002, continues to allow members, mostly housewives seeking to augment their family income, to renew loan applications at a minimal 1.5 percent interest per month.

Sarmiento said the capital loan assistance is available from various conduits, including the Cooperative Rural Bank of Bulacan, Novaliches Development Cooperative, ASA Foundation and the Philippine Micro Enterprise Development Foundation.

She said Task Force Sikap Buhay is now coordinating with the International School of Business and other institutions to provide training on entrepreneurship and livelihood to members. – Perseus Echeminada