THE Municipal Government of Hinigaran has received almost P7.3 million worth of projects through the bottom-up budgeting (BUB) program of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
DTI-Negros Occidental Provincial Director Lea Gonzales, who led the turnover of check to municipal officials led by Mayor Nadie Arceo at the town’s Negosyo Center on Tuesday, May 23, said the fund is part of the agency’s 2016 BUB program.
This is the third BUB fund given to the municipal government since 2014, and the biggest allocation among local government units in the province this year.
Of the total fund, almost P5.3 million is intended for Rural Micro Enterprise Promotion Program. This includes provision of trainings and enterprise development activities benefiting at least 23 groups.
The remaining P2 million will be used for the operation of Otop (one-town, one-product) Express Store, which will be utilized to display and sell locally produced products in fiestas and other big celebrations in the province like Panaad sa Negros Festival.
“The projects are positioned to help boost the economy of Hinigaran through the creation of more enterprises in the locality,” Gonzales said, adding that the initiatives are also seen to empower MSMEs and provide sustainable livelihood for their respective families.
Through the enterprise promotion initiative, some resident-recipients of the agency’s Yamang Pinoy program will have an educational visit in Pampanga and Cebu.
Gonzales said the visit will allow entrepreneurs to observe and learn from the latter’s practices mainly on shell craft development and meat processing.
Hinigaran is currently the province’s major producer of Capiz shell used as raw material for production of various crafts by the furniture and furnishings, and gifts, décor and housewares sectors.
“These are really viable programs which other cities and municipalities should replicate,” Gonzales said, adding that Hinigaran is one of the local government units actively working on the development of its MSMEs.
