“AS MOST CITIZEN-FRIENDLY TOWN”

VILLASIS—Even before the Department of Trade’s officially launched a micro-lending program this month to counter the “5-6” underground lending scheme that victimizes lowly vendors, this town has already launched its own program by offering loans to market vendors at zero interest.

Mayor Nonato Abrenica launched his “Angat Pangkabuhayan Project 2017” that offers an initial P5,000 loan to small vendors at the town’s public market and Bagsakan Market.

“We have started doing this ahead of the national government,” Abrenica said who implemented his project last March 23.

A market collector goes around to collect daily installment payments from the beneficiaries, the mayor said.

To date, some 250 beneficiaries, who mostly sell their goods “de gaton” style or display their products on the market’s pavement, have already availed of the ‘contra-5-6’ lending program.

To qualify, the prospective beneficiary should prove they are regular vendors in the town’s market by securing a business permit from the town hall.

Operationally, a P5,000 loan must be paid in 90 days or at least P50 daily until he or she finishes paying the loan whichever comes first.

The “Angat Pangkabuhayan Project 2017” has an initial funding of P2-million to bankroll the program under the mayor’s social welfare budget. It was launched on March 23 “and so far, the repayment performance is okay”, Abrenica said.

“Everything is going fine,” he added.

Abrenica said, “We may not be a rich municipality but we want to be the most livable and citizen-friendly municipality.” (Tita Roces)

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