Posted on by Jaymante Pearl Apilado

The DSWD Field Office 1 – Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) launched its 4th SLP Congress in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte on 2-6 October 2023 that aims to strengthen the marketing, network-building, collaboration, and partnership engagement of DSWD-LGU-assisted SLP participants to private individuals and government institutions. The activity benefited the existing and organized SLP Associations and individual beneficiaries across the Region towards promoting and expanding their microenterprise development projects.

Ribbon cutting ceremony of DSWD Officials and Local Government of Ilocos Norte and Laoag City representatives

“Kayo (SLP beneficiaries) po ang inspirasyon ng DSWD at ng gobyerno sa pangunguna ni President Bongbong Marcos upang ipagpatuloy ang malakas na panimulain na pagtulong sa kapwa at pamayanan. Kami po sa DSWD ay nandito lamang kasama ninyo sa anumang hamon ng buhay. Sa ngalan ni Secretary Rex Gatchalian, maraming salamat sa inyong patuloy na suporta sa SLP (You, the SLP beneficiaries, are the inspiration of the DSWD and the government under the leadership of President Bongbong Marcos to continue the strong beginning of helping others and the community. We at DSWD are here with you amidst life’s challenges. On behalf of Secretary Rex Gatchalian, thank you very much for your continued support to SLP),” said Florentino Y. Loyola Jr., DSWD Assistant Secretary for Specialized Programs under Operations Group and SLP Concurrent OIC National Program Manager.

 

ASec Florentino Y. Loyola Jr. delivers his speech on behalf of DSWD Sec. Rex Gatchalian during the opening ceremony.

During the opening ceremony, the SLP awarded livelihood assistance to the seven newly organized SLP Associations and 17 individual enterprises while 28 SLP Associations received certification from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Further, on the second day of the activity, the new guidelines of the SLP and the program and services of DSWD Field Office 1 were discussed to potential and existing SLP beneficiaries and the general public during the Information Caravan. 

On the last day of the event, the SLP beneficiaries and SLP staff showed off their talents, products, creativity, and wit through SLP contests consisting of Mr. and Ms. SLP 2023, SLP Got Talent, SLP Product Presentation, and Best Booth. In the end, the Province of Ilocos Norte championed all of the competitions. 

The congress was deemed successful as it surpassed last year’s total sales wiith a cumulative revenue amounting to PhP808,873.00.

SLP is a capability-building program of the DSWD that provides access to opportunities that increase the productivity of the livelihood assets of the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized communities in order to improve their socioeconomic well-being.(by: John Chris B. Zureta – Sustainable Livelihood Program)