In an effort to help poor families become self-sufficient, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues to provide them livelihood support through its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).

Last week, the DSWD through its Field Office (FO) in Region XI provided 21 fishing boats and fishing accessories to poor families in the coastal barangays  of Talisay, Cambaleon, Bitaogan, Baon, Batobato, La Union and Manikling in San Isidro, Davao Oriental to facilitate their additional source of income. The livelihood support amounted to P874,150.

The turnover ceremony was graced by FO-XI Regional Director Mercedita P. Jabagat and Mayor Justina MB. Yu.

Meanwhile, the social welfare agency, under the supervision of DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo, will continue to generate possible beneficiaries of the SLP in other areas across the Philippines, especially those who are not enrolled under the government’s conditional cash transfer program.

“Aside from our cash-for-work and food-for-work program, we partner with LGUs to provide economic opportunities and implement capacity-building initiatives to help improve the quality of life of poor Filipinos,” said Sec. Taguiwalo.

“We want to promote a pro-people approach in all our programs, as directed by President Duterte. This is the reason why we conduct dialogues with people’s organizations, including the rural and urban poor sector to help them become productive members of the society,” she added.

Over the weekend, the social welfare chief attended a consultation with organizations of fishing communities in Muntinlupa City regarding the agency’s assistance and livelihood programs. She also led the official signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Comprehensive Program for Lumads of Mindanao which includes provision on the assistance and services provided by the DSWD, including the SLP.

A community-driven enterprise development program of the DSWD, SLP aims to improve the economic opportunities of program participants through capacity-building, including micro-enterprise development and employment facilitation.

For the 1st quarter of 2017, some 13,054 families in Region XI have availed of livelihood support  through SLP. Of this number, 11,657 were provided skills training while 1,397 were extended seed capital fund for their chosen livelihood projects.  ###