The Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) continues to provide Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries and poor families in Metro Manila opportunities to be self-sufficient through the provision of livelihood assistance under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).
DSWD-NCR Regional Director Ma. Alicia S. Bonoan announced that 75 Self-Employment Assistance Kaunlaran (SEA-K) associations consisting of 1,192 beneficiaries from cities of Caloocan, Las Piñas, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Navotas, Parañaque, San Juan, Manila, Quezon City and Valenzuela were provided with a total of Php8,866,000.00 capital assistance on August 25, 2015.
“Ipagpatuloy niyo ang pagsisikap para sa inyong mga pamilya. Hangad namin na maging sustainable ang inyong mga negosyo at umangat ang antas ng inyong pamumuhay. Samantalahin sa positibong paraan ang pagkakataong ipinagkaloob sa inyo. Hindi magtatagal, kayo ay magiging simbolo ng magandang pagbabagong hatid ng ating programa at magsisilbing inspirasyon sa ibang nangangarap umasenso sa buhay.” Bonoan said.
She also mentioned that the beneficiaries underwent a business management training that capacitated them to properly manage their businesses.
Meanwhile, Arlene Abobo, 53 years old and a resident from Caloocan City proudly shared that they are now “self-sufficient” through the social protection programs and services they have received.
She expressed, “Ngayon, masasabi ko na kaya ko nang tumayo sa sarili kong mga paa. Mapalad kami dahil nandyan ang DSWD at pamahalaan na handang tumulong sa mga mahihirap na pamilya na nais magbago at umahon mula sa kahirapan. Ang tulong na matatanggap ko ngayon ay gagamitin ko upang mas mapalago pa ang aming negosyo na kainan. Itutuloy-tuloy ko ang magandang pagbabago.”
Under the Sustainable Livelihood Program, the Self-Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran (SEA-K) tract is a capability building program which aims to enhance the socio-economic skills of poor families through the organization of community-based associations for entrepreneurial development. ###