Twenty-seven (27) former mass supporters of an underground mass organization at Brgy. Cacafean, Marcos, Ilocos Norte received Php 373,225.00 as seed capital assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 1 (DSWD FO 1) through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).
DSWD conducted social preparation of beneficiaries in partnership with the Philippine Army 2nd Civil Military Operations (KABALIKAT) Company based in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur.
“Napakahalaga nito dahil maipaparamdam natin sa mga former mass supporters na hindi sila pababayaan ng gobyerno at katuwang sila para mapabuti at mapaunlad ang kanilang pamumuhay (This is indeed significant in making the former mass supporters feel that there is a government they can rely on to improve their lives),” SLP – Ilocos Norte Provincial Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Anna Liza V. Calipini stated.
The 27 recipients identified proposed projects as follows: livestock production such as carabao, cattle, chicken, and tilapia; food vending; and sari-sari store.
Meanwhile, SLP Regional Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Evelyn Gabatin-Acosta explained the process of implementation of the program.
“Government programs and services might take time to implement as there are certain guidelines and documents to be complied, but this doesn’t mean that they’re just mere promises as what the anti-government groups are claiming,” Gabatin-Acosta said.
The Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police-Marcos remain committed to provide further assistance and security to the SLP team in the implementation and monitoring of the project’s overall success, hence a good start in ensuring the sustainability of the chosen enterprises of the recipients.
The SLP is a capability-building program of the DSWD which aims to help improve the socio-economic conditions of the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized households and communities through accessing and acquiring necessary assets to engage in and maintain thriving livelihoods. (by: Radz Bismonte, Social Marketing Officer, Sustainable Livelihood Program)
