JP-LGU launches 'kariton' livelihood scheme

The pushcarts for livelihood … a P500 per day take is achievable. - Photo courtesy of the JPLGU Livelihood Unit

  

By ALFREDO P HERNANDEZ

ENTERPRISING indigent households in Mambulao can now engage in an income-generating project under a new scheme of the local government.

Called the Sulong Kabuhayan sa Kariton (SKK), the livelihood initiative will benefit poor households, mostly from the east and west districts, according to Cynthia Canoy of the LGU livelihood unit.

The project will see an initial of 10 beneficiaries getting a brand-new kariton (push cart) and a cheap capital loan of P2,000 for ingredients and materials needed to produce their goods, mostly cooked foodstuff.

The second batch of 10 is now being screened.

The cheap loan is payable on weekly or monthly basis, depending on their daily sales.

Canoy said that based on their daily sales monitoring of a test “kariton”, a vendor would net about P500 per day from a sales of P1,500.

The LGU has assigned each recipient a particular foodstuff/product to sell to avoid product overlapping and duplication that could result to unnecessary competition.

Among the foodstuff allowed to be sold included maruya, siomai and sa malamig and “accessory merienda stuff”.

However, the recipients have also been encouraged to present project proposals that could jibed with their “kariton”.

Canoy said vendors have been assigned areas where they can ply their trade.

For the first batch of 10 vendors, one will post at the public market, two at Motherlode; one at Filnippon company compound; one each in Sta Rosa, Sta Cruz, Larap, Parang, Plaridel and Bagong-bayan.

A push-cart cost about P9,500 to build, which the recipients are not allowed to modify, otherwise they will forfeit the right to operate it.

It is equipped with a safety cabinet and is fitted with stainless tops and sidings.

As to who would qualify, Canoy said: “Basta masipag at matiyaga, eh qualified … at siyempre they should be among those below the poverty threshold.”

Canoy said that the recipients will undergo the basic training on business management, simple bookkeeping and food handling.

“Food handling and strict hygiene are necessary to make sure that the food sold to the public is safe for consumption,” she said.

“We also studied the handling of this business and gave the vendors tips on how to improve their products and marketing.”

The project has immediately attracted supporters, fans and encouragement.

For one, overseas-based Mary Fe Barcoma Dearth said: “This is great! … this looks promising … I am excited about the idea and purpose … kahit maliit na capital, pag may tiyaga, may nilaga.”

Another Mambulaoan Ruby Rose Villafuerte was impressed: Good job! Eto na sana ang simula ng pag-angat ng ating lugar …”

“Magandang proyekto yan,” says Norman F Ojo, who suggested that vendors should not ply their trade on roadsides, just like in Metro Manila, to avoid obstructing the flow of pedestrians.

Aldrin Toribio of Ireland/Parang said that the LGU should see to it that there would be no product cloning among participant vendors to avoid bad competition resulting in less income for those selling similar products.

The project is the latest initiatives by the local government pushed by Mayor Ricarte Padilla, Vice-Mayor Ariel Non and fully supported by the Sangguniang Bayan members.

Canoy said that this project has become one of the LGU’s “sources of excitement and inspirations”.

The “kariton” funding came from the LGU’s livelihood program.

For comment, please email: ahernandez@thenational.com.pg