“Kayo po ang nagpapalakas ng programang ito kaya karapat-dapat lang po na dagdagan ang cycle at loan amount para sa inyo.”
This was stated by Governor Amado “Pogi” I. Espino III during the awarding of Livelihood Assistance Program of the Provincial Government of Pangasinan held on December 31 at the Sison Auditorium.
Gov. Pogi awarded a total of P11,020,000 livelihood assistance to 67 cooperatives and micro, small and medium enterprises that comprised the fifth batch for year 2021.
The provincial chief executive stressed that for this batch, four groups who are now on their 10th cycle received P250,000 loan amount each.
The four groups are, as follows: D’ Highlights Agri-Business Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Eastern Binalonan Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Pias Women Association, and Sonson Ongkit KALIPI Association.
Owing to the continuous support of the cooperatives, MSMes and other beneficiaries of the LAP, Gov. Pogi assured that the provincial government will sustain the assistance program by extending loan cycles.
“Next year, magiging 11 cycles na po kayo at mapapaabot natin sa ₱300,000 at target po natin na umabot ito hanggang P1-million bawat isa,” Gov. Pogi added.
Apart from the four groups, 18 groups are new and on their 1st cycle, namely: Sobol Sioasio West Farmer Irrigators Association Inc. (Sual), Baquioen Farmers Irrigators Association Inc. (Sual) Simboryo Agro Forestry Farmer Association Inc. (Sual), Baiuto Ips Farmers Association Inc. (Sual), Luna Rice and Vegetable Farmers Association Inc. (Mabini), Malinac Pinalapa Dumpay Farmer’s Association Inc. (Basista), Naguilayan West KALIPI Association (Mangatarem), Pinagpalang Krisiyanong Magsasaka Inc. (Bayambang), Brgy. Cabaruan San Fabian Farmers Association Inc. (San Fabian), Abante Babaskit Farmers Association Inc. (Manaoag), Sitio Sagur San Vicente San Jacinto Farmers Association Inc. (San Jacinto), and San Miguel Agriculture Farmers Cooperative (Bani).
Other beneficiaries are on their 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th cycle.
According to Provincial Population Cooperative Livelihood and Development Officer (PPCLDO) Ellsworth G. Gonzales, the recent distribution has the biggest loan amount since the launching of the livelihood assistance program in 2008 under the stint of former Governor Amado T. Espino Jr.
Also present during the LAP distribution were: Provincial Administrator Nimrod S. Camba and Provincial Information Officer Orpheus M. Velasco.
By Shiella Mae G. Castro
