LET US NOT LOSE HOPE. Trade and Industry Assistant Secretary Ameenah A. Fajardo encourages the former rebels (FRs) to be strong, to believe in their own capacities, and in the government's ability to sustain their needs as they return to mainstream society and restart their lives.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Assistant Secretary Ameenah Fajardo called on individuals, especially the former rebels (FRs) who are starting over, to register their businesses in order to formalize their livelihood identities and avail the wide range of benefits provided by the government.
In her recent guest appearance in the radio-television program of Task Force Balik-Loob (TFBL), “Balik-Loob sa Pagbabago,” aired over DWDD (1134kHz) AFP Radio and KTVQ2 Cable Channel 107, Asec. Fajardo shared that individuals and FRs can go to the nearest DTI Negosyo Centers which are strategically located in the provinces and LGUs to further assist and attend to the needs of those who want to start and legalize their businesses.
“Hinihikayat ko kayo na talagang magparehistro po kayo dahil importante po iyan. Hindi po kayo makaka-avail ng mga programa ng gobyerno kung hindi pa po tayo rehistrado,” said Fajardo, stressing that aspiring entrepreneurs need to establish the identities of their businesses and have documented proof for government verification.
Sharing that over 1,418 beneficiaries were already assisted by the DTI under Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), the Assistant Secretary also explained the various services offered to the FRs. These include seminars on entrepreneurial mind-setting and how to start a business, business consultations, livelihood training, skills training, product pricing and costing, consumer education, provision of livelihood start-up kits, and many more.
Asec. Fajardo said that even before the pandemic emerged, the DTI's projects, including Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-Asenso (P3), One Town One Project Next Gen, and the Negosyo Centers are continuously operating to serve the people. Amidst the circumstance, the DTI also continues to reach out to the FRs and deliver services through online seminars and training, while attending to their specific needs.
The DTI official, who is specifically assigned in Special Concerns, encouraged the FRs and the active rebels to be hopeful, assuring them that the government would not abandon them.
"Sa inyo pong lahat, kung mayroon po kayong kahirapan na pinagdadaanan, huwag po tayong mawalan ng pag asa, at manatili tayong malakas, (malakas) ang tiwala sa ating sarili, sa gobyerno po natin, at sa Poong Maykapal,” said Asec. Fajardo. “Tandaan po ninyo, ang ating gobyerno ay hindi tayo pababayaan. Patuloy po kaming gumagawa ng mga programa at serbisyo upang mabigyan ng tulong ang lahat ng ating mga kababayan, maging ano pa man iyon," she added.
Asec. Fajardo further expressed that rebellion is not the solution to the active rebel’s personal struggle and reminded that their progress reflects the development of our country. "Hindi po pagrerebelde ang makakatulong sa inyong mga pinagdadaanan. Tandaan po na laging nandito ang DTI at iba pang ahensiya upang kayo ay matulungan,” she explained. “Ang pag unlad ninyo ay pag-unlad din ng ating bansa. Magsama-sama po tayo."
E-CLIP continues to provide benefits that are tailor-fit to the particular needs of the FRs and their families. These benefits include livelihood assistance, financial assistance, housing, education, skills training, healthcare, and legal assistance, among others, delivered through the convergence of various national and local government agencies.
Meanwhile, TFBL was organized to monitor and assess the implementation of E-CLIP to the national level. Established pursuant to Administrative Order No. 10 of President Duterte, as amended by Administrative Order No. 25, TFBL includes the Department of Trade and Industry, and other lead government agencies as well as other partner agencies that may be tapped to provide additional benefits and services to FRs.
