Isko Moreno to beneficiaries: ‘This is seed money — grow it, don’t spend it’
By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso released P5 million in capital assistance Thursday to 1,000 small business owners, saying the city won’t let residents go hungry as the Middle East conflict rattles the global economy.
The rollout happened at San Andres Sports Complex in Malate, where the Manila Department of Social Welfare distributed the aid under the Kaagapay sa Kabuhayan Program. Each beneficiary received P5,000 to start or expand micro-enterprises such as carinderias, banana cue carts, and merienda stalls.
Domagoso told recipients to treat the cash as capital that must grow through discipline.
“Habang may buhay, may pag-asa,” he said. “Gusto ko isapuso ninyo. At hindi lang isapuso’t isipan, dapat niyo ‘yun isagawa.”
He warned against spending the aid on short-term wants. “Wag mong ipagpagana sa sarili mo dala ng meron kang sobra sa ngayong araw na ito. ‘Yun ay patuloy mong isuli, itabi, at hangga’t maaari, ibalik mo sa negosyo,” Domagoso said, pushing what he called delayed gratification.
The mayor leaned on his Tondo roots to drive the point home.
“Yung nanay ko, pagkakakita ng lote, nagtatanim ng talbos ng kamote,” he recalled. “Talbos ng kamote ang tinanim, bahay na ang tumubo.”
Domagoso said patience and resourcefulness matter more than the size of capital. He cited a pandemic-era beneficiary who turned P1,000 in aid into a food business that’s now trending on TikTok. “Isang libo lang yung nakuha niya, isa na siyang sikat na kainan,” he said.
Beyond cash, the city handed out 100 starter kits across seven skills tracks: Unisex Hair Cutting with 28 kits, Massage with 19, Nail Care with 15, Bread and Pastry with 14, Hair Dressing with 11, Cookery with 8, and Skin Care with 5.
A total of 1,020 beneficiaries were tapped from Manila’s six congressional districts, BASECO, and the Manila Manpower Development Center. Priority went to persons with disability, solo parents, indigent and senior citizens, special cases, and MMDC graduates.
Domagoso acknowledged mounting pressure on Manila families due to the unresolved Middle East conflict and its ripple effects on local prices and jobs. He framed the program as direct intervention to keep small vendors afloat and households fed.
The mayor closed by saying City Hall can’t revive Manila alone.
“Hindi ko kayang mag-isa. Kailangan ko kayong lahat,” he said. “Magsama-sama tayo upang muling uminam ang sikat ng Manila Bay sa Lungsod ng Maynila, hindi sa atin man lamang kundi para sa susunod na salinlahi ng ating lungsod.”
ia/xf
