In response to the COVID-19 health crisis that resulted in the extensive loss of jobs and incomes, the Cebu Provincial Government, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 7 and the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), launched the “SUGBO Negosyo” livelihood assistance for micro-entrepreneurs.
Initially inspired by the DTI’s Livelihood Seeding Program – Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay (LSP-NSB), the Cebu Provincial Government initiated one of the biggest LGU-led economic stimulus efforts intended specifically for spurring entrepreneurial activities in the countryside by allocating a hefty P100M budget for the SUGBO Negosyo Program.
Under the Sugbo Negosyo initiative, the Department of Trade and Industry – Cebu Provincial Office (DTI-CPO) through its Negosyo Center Business Counsellors and the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) staff, shall provide assistance to those who have lost their jobs and businesses due to the COVID-19 health crisis.
The assistance shall be through financial aid called the SUGBO Negosyo Kits amounting to P10,000 (Category A); P20,000 (Category B); and P50,000 (Category C) which can be used by entrepreneurs to purchase items that can help them get their businesses up and running.
The Office of the Provincial Board is in charge of the gathering and screening of the applications from the cities and municipalities of Cebu, while the DTI Negosyo Center Business Counsellors and volunteer members of the MCCI are in-charge of the validation and evaluation of the qualified applicants.
After the announcement of the final list of beneficiaries, DTI through its Negosyo Center Business Counsellors shall conduct an Enterprise Development Seminar to all beneficiaries to guide them with the necessary knowledge on the regulatory requirements of a business, and basic technical know-how in starting and operating a business.
Likewise, the MCCI, with the commitment of the established business sectors in Cebu, shall conduct a mentoring session to help Cebu based entrepreneurs develop effective strategies to increase their sales, widen market reach, and make the program successful.
Before the announcement of the final beneficiaries even started, DTI Regional Operations Group’s Assistant Secretary Asteria Caberte together with the DTI-Cebu’s Negosyo Center Business Counsellors and Technical Staff conducted a one-on-one mentoring session with 70 Category A qualified applicants of the SUGBO Negosyo last year in San Remigio, Cebu.
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