DEPARTMENT of Trade and Industry (DTI) has noted an increase in the number of internally displaced persons (IDP) who are going into business in Marawi City, in a press statement Friday.

The DTI even noted  successful entrepreneurs among the IDP who benefited from the Department's livelihood starter kits.

DTI Bangon Marawi project manager Dr. Rosalinda Pineda, said this was based on the evaluation  they gathered on the ground.

'We started our strict monitoring this month and we are amazed because, in just two weeks of our evaluation, we were able to gather and identify 300 successful entrepreneurs," Pineda,

DTI, on Wednesday last week, distributed livelihood interventions to cooperatives in Marawi and gave recognition to the IDP-entrepreneurs who were able to grow their businesses through the livelihood starter kits given by DTI.

DTI livelihood starter kits include sewing machines, bigasan kits, karenderya kits, baking kits, sari-sari store kits, popcorn kits, masonry and carpentry kits, tile setting kits, school supply kits, and e-loading kits to Marawi IDPs to help them start anew.

To date, 95% of the 50,090 target beneficiaries of DTI already received their starter kits, Pineda said.

"We are very proud. And if we are going to continue with our close monitoring, we would be expecting a lot of successful entrepreneurs," Pineda said.

Ahmad Gazalli Tomawis,  owner of the online food business 'Food Gallery', feels elated and grateful for being recognized by DTI as a successful entrepreneur.

"Alhamdulillah! (Praise be to Allah!) Masaya po kami dahil na-recognize kami as one of the successful entrepreneurs,” Tomawis said adding with the numerous recipients of starter kits, they were chosen and given the opportunity to show them and to other IDPs that their  business has been successful because of the karenderya kit from DTI.

Tomawis said his Food Gallery started in June of this year and in just three months,there were many who have supported their products.

Tomawis also encouraged other IDPs who received DTI starter kits to manage them wisely.

“Ito talaga yong matawag natin halal earnings,” said Tomawis adding, “God helps those who help themselves'  so just work hard and persevere. (APB/PIA-10)