Baguio City- National Government Agencies (NGAs) and some Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have come together to ensure the livelihood sustainability of Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program beneficiaries.
In a partnership forum initiated by the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), NGAs and CSOs discussed the interventions that can be provided to the beneficiaries to facilitate the development of these clients to self-sufficiency after their inclusion in the Program.
DSWD Assistant Regional Director Isabel Sy-Nillas said that the forum is a venue for these groups to establish partnership and to create a support system to be able to provide a more comprehensive service to our clients in the region.
The activity was attended by the representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), National Commission of Indigenous People (NCIP), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Interior Local and Government (DILG), Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Department of Tourism (DOT).
It was also participated by Civil Society Organizations like Card Bank, LaTop, Bucay Movement for Change, Shountoug Foundation Inc., Kalinga-Apayao State College, Knights of Columbus, SUPA Kabayan and Cordillera Community and Family Assistance for Progress, Incorporated.
In the forum, DPWH representative Engr. Constante Sarmiento discussed the Trabahong Lansangan, a program implemented through the DSWD and the DPWH. Engr. Sarmiento mentioned that 20% of the roadside maintenance work of the DPWH is allotted for DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries under the Trabahong Lansangan. He also said that from Php250.00 salary wage, workers under the program already receive around Php 400.00 pesos a day.
Meanwhile, DTI representative Carolyn Pagaduan and Card Bank representative Erwin Suministrado discussed their programs and services which provide opportunities for the beneficiaries to improve their established micro-enterprise.
On the other hand, Kalinga- Apayao State College Extension Services Chairperson Herbert C. Imatong mentioned some researches in their academe that can be explored by the beneficiaries to become a possible source of income. He said also that the cooperation of DTI and DOST can increase and improve the production of the beneficiaries’ goods.
At the end of the forum, the participants pledged to cooperate and support the implementation of the SLP by signing a letter of commitment. In the said document, each representative committed to extend and provide technical assistance needed for the successful implementation of the Program in different areas in the region. They also guaranteed to provide capability building activities and periodic monitoring and feed backing in relation to SLP.
Meanwhile, beneficiaries who are present in the activity said that they will share the skills and knowledge they have learned to their constituents in their respective areas.
SLP is a community-based capacity building program of the DSWD that seeks to improve the beneficiaries’ socio-economic status through micro-enterprise and employment facilitation. The Program aims to provide employment opportunities to its beneficiaries through employment facilitation and micro-enterprise development. DSWD-CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT with reports from Ivy Jane Velano, Sustainable Livelihood Program
