PB members told to vet Sugbo Negosyo program beneficiaries

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has urged the members of the Provincial Board, led by Vice Governor Hilario Davide III, to vet properly the performance of the beneficiaries of Sugbo Negosyo program.

Garcia found out that some of the 35 beneficiaries--five from each of the seven districts--chosen by the board members to represent their district in the provincial level competition were actually not qualified.

The governor learned that only 18 among those recommended by the board members as top performing beneficiaries are qualified. The rest have violated the rules of the program as they could not account the amount given to them to start or improve their business.

“Sa dihang gipangayoan na sila sa ilang tagsa-tagsa ka mga resibo diha na sila nga wala na sila kapakita sa ilang tagsa tagsa ka resibo so mao tong ni-back out sila unya wala pud ni coincide sa ilahang tagsa-tagsa ka need gani for particular nga negosyo,” said PB Member John Ismael Borgonia.

“So mao ni siya ang gipangitaan ni Gov nga asa padulong ang ilang purchase through their cards para ba sa ilang Negosyo or personal,” Borgonia added.

The Sugbo Negosyo Program of the Capitol was launched in 2020 to help small entrepreneurs in the province. The program is now on its second round with P100 million allocated to provide assistance to struggling entrepreneurs.

Under the micro-enterprise program, qualified beneficiaries are given a capital ranging from P10,000 to P50,000 to start or reboot their business through a card or coupon which they will use to purchase raw materials, goods, or equipment from the partner merchants or suppliers of the Capitol.

The Capitol partnered with the Department of Trade and Industry and Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) for the said program. The funds for the program were coursed through the offices of the vice governor and the board members.

Each PB member was tasked to monitor and nominate the top 5 performing beneficiaries of the program in their district to compete for the provincial level competition.

Borgonia though said, fortunately, he has no problem with the top five winners in his district as they were all compliant with the rules slated by the Capitol. The top beneficiaries will get cash reward from the provincial government. —/FPL (FREEMAN)