To motivate the 130 Livelihood Assistance Grant (LAG) recipients of Batac City, Ilocos Norte who received cash assistance on 28 May 2021 at the Plaza Maestro, Mayor Albert D. Chua committed to provide free sanitary permits for those who would register their microenterprise as business.

Mayor Chua emphasized the importance of securing a sanitary permit this time of health crisis to ensure the safety of the Bataqueños. “Maliit man o malaki ang negosyo natin, importanteng makapag-secure tayo ng sanitary permit dahil nakikipag-interact tayo sa mga tao (Small or big business, it is important that we secure sanitary permits because we are interacting with people),” he explained.

Sustainable Livelihood Program – Ilocos Norte Provincial Coordinator Jerellee Portillo lauds the efforts of the City Government of Batac that has always been supportive of the programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 1 particularly on its Sustainable Livelihood Program.

“The City Government of Batac has fully embraced and accepted our program despite the challenges encountered during the distribution of SAP because they truly believe that this will be a great help in the improvement and recovery of the socio-economic welfare of the recipients,” Portillo added.

A total amount of PhP 1,765,000.00 were allocated to the said beneficiaries coming from 13 barangays of the city.

LAG is one of the recovery and rehabilitation programs of the government which primarily aims to aid low income families or those coming from the informal sector who lost their livelihood due to the community quarantine. (by: Radz Bismonte, Social Marketing Officer, Sustainable Livelihood Program)