More than P2 million in seed capital funding was recently released to 12 associations in Catanduanes under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
In a ceremonial turnover held at the conference room of the Governor’s Office last May 6, 2024, DSWD officials released the checks to the beneficiary SLP Associations from seven towns in the presence of Provincial Administrator Eulalia Talaran.
The recipients are: Complete Meal SLP Association of Boton, San Miguel – P120,000; Elevation SLP Association of Siay, San Miguel – P330,000; Strong and Save SLP Association of Solong, San Miguel – P360,000; Pacalasaka SLP Assocation of P. Vera (Canlangka), Viga – P75,000; Bagong Pagasa SLP Association of San Roque, Viga – P180,000; Freeman SLP Association of Quirino, Viga – P135,000; Suoy SLP Association of Suchan, Bagamanoc – P210,000; Allfeeds SLP Association of San Rafael, Bagamanoc – P135,000; Dreamer SLP Association of Ananong, Panganiban – P120,000; Trese SLP Association of Tubaon, Virac – P195,000; Heiley SLP Association of Obi, Caramoran – P300,000; and Lucky 8 SLP Association of Mayngaway, San Andres – P120,000.
The SLP Associations are composed of farmers, fisherfolk, vendors or retailers from communities which badly need the support of the government.
The Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) is a capability-building program for poor, vulnerable and marginalized households and communities to help improve their socio-economic conditions through accessing and acquiring necessary assets to engage in and maintain thriving livelihoods.
It facilitates interventions through two tracks: the Microenterprise Development (MD) which focuses on the establishment of micro-enterprises through provision of a one-time financial capital, enhancement of skills, and building/re-building and developing physical and natural assets; and Employment Facilitation is a Track of the SLP that provides one-time assistance through the provision of EAF and STF to qualified members of eligible households who preferred employment.
Under the MD tracks, the program either provides a Seed Capital Fund (SCF), Skills Training Fund (STF) or Cash for Building Livelihood Assets (CBLA) Funds.
The SCF is used to purchase small tools, raw materials, and common service facilities such as machinery, equipment, and plants needed in starting or expanding a micro-enterprise.
It is provided only once per program participant at a maximum of P15,000 each, with the amount to be used for the operation of the micro-enterprise for its first three months.
The Tribune tried to get details on the type of micro-enterprise to be launched by the SLP Associations but the provincial SLP coordinator in Catanduanes, a certain Jomar Valenzuela, was out of his office last Thursday and Friday.
There was likewise no contact made through the cellphone number provided by the Tribune reporter to the DSWD’s Catanduanes staff as of press time.