Seventy-two ambulant vendors here received early Christmas presents when the provincial government gave each of them bike “kariton” or food carts.

Fe de Leon, head of the Provincial Information Office, said the beneficiaries came from all over the province.

They were selected after sending requests through their barangay officials.

The provincial government spent over PHP1.4 million for the program dubbed “Kabuhayan sa Kariton” (Kabriton or Livelihood in Carts), a pet project of Board Member Fay Ilano and carried out through the Provincial Public Employment and Services Office.

The carts, worth around PHP20,000 each, were turned over to the small entrepreneurs at the capitol grounds on Thursday afternoon.

De Leon said the beneficiaries’ request for livelihood aid was endorsed by the barangay councils.

“Each beneficiary signed an undertaking promising to diligently maintain their carts, and use them only for their legitimate small businesses. If they misuse the equipment, or not use them at all, the provincial government can seek their return… to be handed over to people who can put the carts to better use,” she said. (PNA)