The local government of Quezon City has launched its own line of essential products in a bid to help unemployed residents and displaced workers tide over the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis.
Following the launching of the city’s “QC Essentials” line, the city’s Small Business and Cooperatives Development and Promotion Office (SBCDPO) will be rolling out a “lasting brand of pandemic-essential products” that will be produced by residents from different sectors.
The products will include alcologne, handwash soap, dishwashing soap, among others, the local government said.
Mayor Joy Belmonte on Thursday said the local government made the initiative “following the old adage of ‘teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.’”
“This program will provide our people with economic opportunities and help them provide for the daily essentials of their families,” she said.
For the first run of the program, 1,000 solo parents from 30 city barangays will receive “livelihood starter kits” to produce alcologne.
The beneficiaries will also be linked to possible customers such as establishments, restaurants, and other clients needing hygiene products, the local government said.
SBCDPO head, Mona Yap, said the program is not the usual livelihood program where materials are just provided to the beneficiaries.
“Usually, livelihood programs have a one-way process where beneficiaries receive their starter kits, but here in QC, we want to make sure that they will also be provided with the right market so that they will truly gain sustainability,” she said.
Solo parents who will be participating in the program will also undergo training and seminar with an accredited trainer from Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the local government added.