A total of 300 micro and small enterprises owners of E. B. Magalona received a livelihood grant from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) during the two payout ceremonies at the E. B. Magalona Public Plaza today [Sept. 14].

The grant, funded by the DSWD Sustainable Livelihood Program – Livelihood Assistance Grant, was requested by Mayor Marvin Malacon, and facilitated by Senator Christopher Lawrence Go, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, and 3rd District Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez.

About 200 vendors received P10,000 each during the distribution rites in the morning, as facilitated by Go and Benitez. Meanwhile, a total of 100 vendors have received P15,000 each at the turnover rites in the afternoon, as facilitated by Go and Lacson.

Malacon told the beneficiaries, “Please put this money to good use by investing it wisely in your businesses.”

The mayor reminded the beneficiaries that the assistance was intended as support or additional capital to the existing viable micro-enterprises, whose income and livelihood had been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the implementation of the community quarantines.

“Thank you, Mayor Marvin Malacon, Cong. Kiko Benitez and Senator Bong Go nga kami ang ginpili nyo nga sunod maka-avail sang ini nga assistance. Salamat sa pag-ulikid sa amon kag pag-hatag sang pag-asa nga makabangon kami pagkatapos sang pandemya,” Rose Alejandrino, a beneficiary from Barangay 3, said, when she represented the morning’s batch of beneficiaries.

Attending the distribution ceremonies aside from Malacon and Lacson were Board Member Andrew Montelibano, Vice Mayor Eric Matulac, and Councilors Gilda Parcon, Edmer Agravante, Wyndel Depasucat, Jovie Madayag, Gelita Parcon, Reylan Gamboa Sr., and Isidro Gomed Jr.

Go was represented by his staff Lawrence Chua, while Benitez was represented by his staff, Sonia Macapagal.

Attending the distribution ceremonies aside from Malacon and Lacson were Board Member Andrew Montelibano, Vice Mayor Eric Matulac, Councilors Gelita Parcon, Jovie Madayag, Isidro Gomed Jr., Reylan Gamboa Sr., and Wyndel Depasucat.

Go was represented by his staff Lawrence Chua, while Benitez was represented by his staff, Sonia Macapagal.

Other attendees included Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office head Merly Garcia, DSWD-SLP provincial coordinator Emily Bacaoco, DSWD SLP project development officer Ma. Althenee Arante, and OIC-Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office Helen Contillo.

Bacaoco said this was the second payout of DSWD SLP-LAG to vendors of E. B. Magalona. The first was in June this year, with 75 beneficiaries receiving P10,000 each.