THIRTY-FOUR displaced youth-workers-turned-entrepreneurs in Muntinlupa were given financial aid by the city government to enable them to withstand the effects of the ongoing health crisis on their livelihoods.
Mayor Jaime Fresnedi led the recent turnover of the monetary assistance to the first batch of beneficiaries of NegosYouth: Stimulus Recovery Assistance Program of the Youth Affairs and Sports Development Office.
The local chief executive said the resilience and innovativeness of the city’s youth entrepreneurs to cope up with the trying times is worthy of emulation.
He is hopeful that their stories will serve as an inspiration for his young constituents to also start their own businesses.
Under the stimulus program, the local government provides P5,000 financial assistance to out-of-work youth, students, and out-of-school youth who have started putting up their own enterprises while being locked down in their houses during the national government’s imposed community quarantine.
The beneficiaries will also receive entrepreneurship trainings on financial literacy and leadership, among others.
After an assessment, they will be endorsed to the Joint Resource Financing Program to receive zero-interest loan assistance of up to P150,000 for the expansion of their businesses.
The initial batch of the program for the youth is composed of members of Muntinlupa Locals, a street wear movement that empowers and uplifts the entrepreneurial spirit among the young populace.
It was established in June 2020 by Patrick H. Aquino, a resident of Barangay Alabang and proprietor of Ayong Graphics.
The group supports at least 70 Muntinlupa-based brands and envisions the local youths to be self-reliant by encouraging and bolstering their entrepreneurial skills through patronage and sale of Muntinlupa made, designed and manufactured clothing line.
Recently, the Muntinlupa City Council passed Resolution 2020-406 recognizing the achievement of residents in honing the business skills of the local youth and stirring employment among the citizens.
Image credits: Muntinlupa LGU