More sari-sari store owners have been inspired to grow their businesses as the City Government of Valenzuela has expressed to shoulder their Php 5,000 worth of share capital to cooperatives during the Street-based Enterprise Expansion and Development (SEED) Seminar on Financial Literacy and Business Management held at the Valenzuela City Center for the Performing Arts Auditorium (VCCPA), January 26.

Maria Lourdes Concepcion of Barangay Pasolo, one of the 205 beneficiaries who completed the seminar, has been delighted on the announcement since she has been wanting to member on a cooperative but could not afford the needed fee.

She said that the program will help her to achieve her goal of expanding her convenience store.

Meanwhile, Mayor REX Gatchalian explained that in this program, cooperatives will help and guide every entrepreneur to improve and do better in their businesses.

“Humanap kami ng kuya na susubaybay sa inyo, ‘yun ang mga kooperatiba kasi ‘yan ang expertise nila. ‘Yan ang linya nila, ‘yung tumulong sa maliliit na gustong magnegosyo (We looked for associations that will guide you on your business and those were the cooperatives since it is their expertise to help the small scale businesses),” Mayor REX said.

Mayor REX also reminded the entrepreneurs that their mission is to help the local government to provide jobs for their fellowmen.

“Hindi sapat na tinutulungan niyo ang inyong mga sarili. Hindi sapat na ang maliit na sari-sari store ay maging grocery. Ang importante ay kung gaano karaming tao pa ang matutulungan niyo ng dahil sa programang ito (Helping yourselves is not enough. Transforming your sari-sari store into a grocery is also insufficient. Thus, the number of individuals that you are able to lend a hand due to this program is your significant contribution in the society),” Mayor REX added.