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A nationwide organization of entrepreneurs, civic-spirited volunteers and ordinary citizens has embarked on a massive campaign to help small entrepreneurs in various communities in the country who can in turn help improve the local economy. Through this project, the Ang Samahan ng mga Mangangalakal para sa Ikauunlad ng Lokal na Ekonomiya ( A SMILE) hopes to provide livelihood to as many beneficiaries as possible to improve their quality of life, according to its president Mr. Ronald Francisco Lim. Lim in a press statement said that A SMILE, a partylist group which has been accredited by the Comelec, hopes to devote it efforts to “train and enable unproductive citizens to start their own micro business intended to create income and employment, and eventually rising to progressive and successful businessmen."
The partylist group has been actively pursuing its humanitarian and livelihood develpment projects since 2002 to alleviate the plight of the marginalized members of society. It has been giving small, interest free and collateral free loans to small vendors and granting scholarships to deserving college students and job placements assistance to graduates. It has also provided startup capital to deserving beneficiaries in the rural areas, such as those engaged in raising goats and cattle, duck raising and balut making. Lim also said A SMILE has initiated a project with the local government units which calls for its donation of vending carts for small time investors which can be rotated among the users in the community. A SMILE has also been very active in working with nuns and priests in rehabilitation and charitable work, and with religious instituions and local governmenr units in provding financial and humanitarian assistance to calamity victims.
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