ILOILO City – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), has released a total of P3,771,250 in Seed Capital Fund (SCF) to 12 Sustainable Livelihood Program Associations (SLPAs) in Iloilo City and the province of Guimaras.
The initiative aims to help beneficiary groups strengthen their economic activities and transition towards self-sufficiency, particularly those who are graduates or about to exit from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
In Guimaras, four SLPAs from the municipalities of Jordan and Nueva Valencia received a total of P1,222,500 to implement projects such as vegetable gardening, aquafarming, and hog fattening. The Bugnay SLPA was granted P240,000; Santa Ana Gardens SLPA, P300,000; Alsan SLPA, P300,000; and Salvacion SLPA, P382,500.
Meanwhile, in Iloilo City, eight associations were awarded a combined total of P2,548,750 to establish commodity stores and micro-retail enterprises. These included the Arevalo Tri-Unity Association (P320,000), Jal San Lapuz SLPA (P217,500), Bonifacio SLPA (P389,000), San Juan 23 SLPA (P480,000), Guzman-Jesena SLPA (P300,000), San Rafael SLPA (P300,000), Star Livelihood Association (P311,250), and Mabuhay Salvacion SLPA (P240,000).
According to the DSWD, the assistance will not only provide stable income sources for the members but also contribute to strengthening the local economy.
“This support embodies the DSWD’s commitment that ‘Bawat Buhay, Mahalaga’ as we continue to promote sustainable livelihood as a pathway to inclusive and resilient communities,” the agency said.
Most of the beneficiaries are 4Ps members who, through this program, are expected to move from survival to subsistence, and eventually towards economic independence./PN
