Posted on by Janine Joy Altero

The two MOA signatories, CDS Regional Director Josefina B. Bitonio (seated in red top) and DSWD Regional Director Marcelo Nicomedes J. Castillo (seated in violet top) showing the signed MOA with their respective witnesses.

Binded by the common goal on poverty alleviation and empowerment of the disadvantaged sector through the provision of appropriate interventions, the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field office 1 (DSWD FO 1) and the Cooperative Development Authority Dagupan City Extension Office (CDA-DEO) sealed a Php1,529,580 worth of partnership project for the implementation of various skills training on microenterprise development intervention in Region I through DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP). Php1,490,580.00 of the fund will come from the DSWD SLP GAA 2018 while the remaining Php39,000.00 fund will be the counterpart of the CDA-DEO.

Some 780 qualified program participants, prioritizing the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries, will undergo Skills Training on Bookkeeping with Would-Be Cooperative Seminar to equip them with new knowledge and skills necessary for  enterprise development or enhancement, operations, and management of human capital to enable them to actively participate in the local economy as coop-entrepreneurs.

For a more expanded livelihood support, the two agencies shall link with the Provincial Government and Local Government Units in Region I under the Agricultural Technologies and Tourism Development Program or similar livelihood programs, as well as with other National Government Agencies, such as the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for relevant programs, additional services, and upscaling of the partnership project initiated.

DSWD FO 1 continues to provide technical assistance and continuing capacity building support to SLP beneficiaries together with the CDA-DEO. The latter party shall take responsibility in the disbursement of funds for the project implementation, and assist in the registration of Sustainable Livelihood Program Associations (SLPAs) into cooperatives.  Registered SLPA cooperatives become partners of both parties. (by: Janine Joy B. Altero, Social Marketing Officer, Sustainable Livelihood Program)