‘Yorme’ commends Tondo livelihood initiative for small entrepreneurs

Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso praised a new community livelihood program spearheaded by District 1 Councilor Rosalino Ibay Jr. that connects local small business owners to assist low-income residents in Tondo.

The initiative, named “ShoMy Action,” provides qualified poor applicants with clean, stainless-steel rolling food carts for free, alongside initial seed capital to launch small street food businesses selling affordable items like siomai.

The project operates through a direct network of local micro-entrepreneurs.

RM Stainless Fabricator builds the pushcarts, EYU Printing Shop handles branding stickers, Bel Rob CLC LPG Trading supplies cooking gas, Aling Pitang Meat Shop provides ingredients, and a Tondo-based manufacturer processes the siomai.

“We will provide free, decent stainless pushcarts made by our local fabricator,” Ibay said in an interview, explaining that eliminating third-party intermediaries keeps operational costs low.

“All items sold from the pushcarts have health certifications from City Hall. The food is very affordable, designed to serve poor students and workers,” he added.

Selected applicants from Tondo will receive the carts after signing a contract agreeing to comply with local regulations and program guidelines.

The office will distribute an initial batch of 14 food carts to applicants who meet the criteria.

Ibay, a retired police officer who previously headed the Manila Police District Special Weapons and Tactics unit, entered local politics following his early retirement from the Philippine National Police.

He pledged to craft ordinances focused on public safety and economic development to support the city administration’s goals.

Domagoso commended the district-level collaboration, citing it as a model for micro-business growth across the capital.