IBA, Zambales — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Zambales conducted skills training sessions and distributed livelihood assistance in the province throughout November.

DTI Provincial Director Enrique Tacbad said the agency assisted about 30 microentrepreneurs through the distribution of livelihood kits and business capability training under the Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) Program. He said the program covers individuals whose businesses were disrupted by tropical cyclones, monsoon rains, and fire incidents.

“Our Pangkabuhayan sa Pagsulong at Ginhawa Program provides livelihood packages for victims of calamities such as fire, flood, typhoon, and other calamities as beneficiaries of the program,” Tacbad said.

(“Our Pangkabuhayan sa Pagsulong at Ginhawa Program provides livelihood packages for victims of calamities such as fire, flood, typhoon, and other emergencies.”)

He said the PPG Program aims to help affected micro, small, and medium enterprises continue operations and access new opportunities by providing livelihood kits.

The distribution activities began in Masinloc on 07 November 2025, where nine beneficiaries received assistance after experiencing losses from tropical cyclones Crising and Dante and prolonged monsoon rains.

On 13 November 2025, DTI conducted activities in Barangay San Miguel, San Antonio and provided livelihood kits to another nine recipients. The same day, five residents of New Ilalim, Olongapo City received sari-sari store packages and attended an Entrepreneurial Mindset Seminar and Business Continuity Planning session. One beneficiary from Castillejos also received support.

In Santa Cruz, six microentrepreneurs from Barangay Poblacion South received livelihood packages on 20 November 2025 as part of their recovery from a fire incident earlier this year.

Negosyo Center business counselors Larra Laine Reyes, John Paul Bagayo, John Lloyd Topaz, and TIDA Cathlyn Oledan led the training sessions, which covered financial literacy, basic risk management, and strategies for sustaining microenterprises after disasters.

DTI Zambales officials and barangay partners facilitated the awarding ceremonies to ensure that assistance reached affected residents across several communities.

The PPG Program provides starter kits and capacity-building activities for individuals affected by calamities and aims to support local economic recovery by helping microentrepreneurs rebuild their income sources.