DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the local government unit (LGU) of Labrador boosted the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) by opening a new facility that supports veggie chip and noodle production of 50 beneficiaries in the said town.
In an interview on Monday, Roger Jimenez, project development officer (PDO) III and special concerns coordinator at DSWD Field Office 1, said the facility, launched on Oct. 21, is part of the SLP aimed at enhancing the socio-economic well-being of impoverished, vulnerable, and marginalized communities in Region 1.
He said by providing essential resources and capacity-building support, the SLP empowers individuals and households to achieve sustainable livelihoods and improve their quality of life.
Jimenez said the project will benefit at least 50 beneficiaries from three different SLP associations—Bolo Bakers, Tobuan Bakers, and So Veggie Good.
Produce of the beneficiaries of the project will be marketed across different locations and malls in Pangasinan, with plans to eventually expand internationally.
Jimenez stated that the project’s goal is to establish a production site capable of meeting market demand.
“Anchored on the objective of the SLP under Program Convergence Budgeting (PCB) and in collaboration with a national government agency, the goal is to establish a common site where associations can freely produce their products and have the opportunity for mass production to meet market demand,” Jimenez said.
He also mentioned that the project was funded with a total of ₱750,000 from the DSWD, while the LGU of Labrador contributed a substantial counterpart of ₱1.8 million, including equipment.
Jimenez emphasized the facility’s importance to the local community, noting that it promotes shared responsibility.
“By sharing responsibilities, we can ensure the building’s maintenance and benefit from its resources. This will not only support our associations but also attract new members, leading to a fully operational facility. Ultimately, this will enhance daily lives, increase incomes, and positively impact our social status,” he said.
Participants are also provided with basic livelihood training by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), followed by SLPA formation.
Likewise, Labrador PDO II Ruby Amor Asuncion highlighted the importance of the production site, ensuring it meets all necessary requirements for efficient production.
She added that every beneficiary is encouraged to maintain a vegetable garden at home, growing crops like malunggay, pumpkin, okra, and eggplant. When mass production takes place, they will collect the harvested crops fresh from their gardens and bring them to the facility, where the products will be diversified into new forms.
“We really encourage them to plant. We ensure that the ingredients are fresh, and it’s clear that the produce comes directly from them. The vegetables are processed on the same day of harvest. Depending on the crispiness we want to achieve, production can take three days or up to a week, after which the products are sealed,” Asuncion said.
Asuncion also assured that food safety and the welfare of workers are priorities, as the facility is enclosed and has a sanitary permit, with appropriate space for production, cooking, and free rent.
The production facility is equipped with raw materials and common service facilities, including machinery and equipment necessary for production.
Cristy Claudio, a resident of Barangay Bolo, Labrador, and a former member of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), expressed her gratitude for the livelihood opportunity.
“We are grateful to be chosen as part of an association that will help us earn a living. This facility is a big help, especially with the space it provides for us to cook and produce,” Claudio said. (MJTAB/EMSA/JSZ/PIA Pangasinan)
