The Cebu Provincial Government’s 100-million-peso micro business assistance and mentorship program will be back for its third season, and changes will be adopted to maximize its benefits.
For one, the number of beneficiaries of Sugbo Negosyo will be trimmed down to only 500 micro entrepreneurs, down from the usual 10,000 beneficiaries of the program’s past two seasons.
However, what the Capitol let go in terms of quantity, it more than makes up for in quality, as the beneficiaries, in order for them to qualify, must at least be engaged in their individual ventures for at least three years, ensuring that they have a better feel of the business.
The beneficiaries will be screened and selected by the offices of the 17 Board Members who are allocated 25 slots each, while the Office of the Vice Governor shall have 75 slots.
Each of these qualified beneficiaries will also receive more, a whooping P200,000 from the program, considerably up from the usual P10,000 aid in the previous seasons.
During a meeting at the Capitol on April 29, Gov. Gwen Garcia said the program should help micro entrepreneurs whose products are “a cut above the rest.”
“Whatever it is that when you develop, it sets Cebu products above the ordinary,” Gov. Garcia said.
The meeting was attended by Board Member Glenn Soco, Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) president Mark Anthony Ynoc, MCCI past president Steven Yu, and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Cebu director Rose Mae Quiñanola.
“We’re trying to really push Cebu with products that are really a cut above the rest,” she added.
Sugbo Negosyo is a brainchild program of Gov. Gwen. It was first launched during the pandemic and aims to assist micro entrepreneur get much needed capital boost and mentorship from successful Cebuano businessmen and DTI representatives that comprise the technical working group. | BJR