Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. (standing, center) together with the recipients of the 1st batch of livelihood program checks flash the ‘number 1’ sign during the awarding rite held January 16 at the Governor’s Office here.The provincial government through the Pangasinan Population Office (PPO) has released a total of over P1.8 million to 13 women’s groups under its regular livelihood assistance program and P250,000 to two micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).The distribution, which is the first batch of recipient for this year, has benefited 369 individuals mostly women who are engaged in different types of projects like rice trading, farm inputs, buy and sell and direct selling of vegetables and shellcrafts, cooperative relending, and production of souvenir items. Since the program launching in 2008, a total of P38 million has been released to some 289 groups (both associations, cooperative and MSMEs) from various parts of Pangasinan and has served more than 10,000 individuals. Aside from this, the provincial government has also released P1.2 million for goat production projects benefiting four women groups.