Erap vows to expand CAP for Manila’s poor families

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada has vowed to expand the Capital Assistance Program (CAP) to uplift the lives of indigent families in Manila.

Estrada, who is running for his third and last term as Manila chief executive, said the program aims to provide funds for small-scale businesses for poor families in the city. He said he wants to help microbusinesses and small enterprises in the city to enable them to experience continuous financial growth.

He pointed out that micro, small, and medium enterprises or MSMEs are the backbone of the city government’s rapid progress.

“We will give these small entrepreneurs a chance para palakihin ang kanilang negosyo (to expand their businesses), after all, they complement Manila’s economic growth,” Estrada said.

When Estrada started the program in 2013, he said thousands of indigenous Manileños were given the chance to have their own businesses with a startup capital of P5,000 to P10,000.

The program has produced standalone stores, food kiosks, and other backyard businesses which provided extra income to the beneficiaries and help them with their day-to-day expenses.

Manila Department of Social Welfare (MDSW) officer in charge Nanet Tayag said that through the program, poor families could earn additional income for their daily necessities and enable them to send their children to schools.

Aside from the CAP, the city of Manila has already provided more than 20,000 beneficiaries worth P90 million from 2013 to 2019 under the Educational Assistance Program (EAP).

Mayor Estrada said that EAP seeks to help students in their school expenses, including their projects that will complete their academic requirements.