BONTOC, Mountain Province (PIA)– The government pursues sustainable interventions to elevate the socio-economic conditions of communities in Mountain Province.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is empowering 51 organizations composed of 1,334 individuals in the province through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).
Thirty-seven of the organizations from the municipalities of Bauko, Bontoc, Tadian, Sabangan, Sagada and Sadanga received their seed capital in a turnover ceremony at the Leonard G. Mayaen Sports Complex in Bontoc on November 29, 2024.
Organizations in Natonin and Paracelis received their assistance in a separate ceremony.
A total of PhP 20,010,000.00 was distributed among the beneficiaries.
DSWD-Cordillera Regional Director Maria Catbagan-Aplaten urged the beneficiaries to exert efforts to make their enterprises successful.
“Esten tako, say-sayaaten tako nan organisasyon tako tapno dumur-as, rumang-ay ya dumakkel. Haan nga agstop ijay first tranche, ket nalpasen. First tranche, second tranche, third tranche, malpas diyay ket ayan, kayang kaya niyo na on your own, and this is a very big sustainable livelihood for each one of the members, and of course, the entire community,” she said.
[We should do good in our organization so it will become successful and it expands. It should not stop on the first tranche. After the first tranche, second tranche and third tranche, you can now move on your own, and this is a very big sustainable livelihood for each one of the members. And of course, the entire community.]
Congressman Maximo Dalog Jr. also emphasized that the triumph of the program depends on the members of the organization.
“Nu masustain yu wada nan ited day ay second tranche, third trance. Mentransition kayo tun Met laeng ay cooperative kuma, mas laylayden mi pay nan sustainable livelihood program kaysa nan ayuda tay nan livelihood, pagbiyagan, nan nay isukapay, isunga nan success of the organization, wada kendakayo,” he said.
[If you are able to sustain the program, there will be a second or even a third tranche. We hope that you transition into a cooperative, we prefer the sustainable livelihood program over “ayuda” because livelihood is for life.The success of the organization depends on you.]
In response, Benson Aowes Jr., president of the Pa-eng Livelihood Association, expressed gratitude to the government, and vowed sustainability of their projects.
“Dakkel ay pasasalamat mi isnan DSWD tay esang nan Guinaang as inagtan cha as livelihood project, isunga ipapati mi ta matuloy, makaput-up kami as pagmanukan or poultry ad Guinaang tapno wada isukapay ay isupusup sinan kasapulan si pamilya,” he said.
[Big thanks to DSWD for choosing Guinaang as of the recipients of a livelihood project. We will put up a poultry in Guinaang for additional source of income.]
“Gapu isnan tulong yu ya nan bendisyon si Apo Dios, ikarigatan mi ay sustainen nan makwani ay inyali yu ay pagsayaatan anay da,” Henry Liwayan, president of the Kagagasing Igorot Association also said.
[With you help and by the grace of God, we will strive to sustain the livelihood project you have provided us.]
The SLP is a capacity-building program that seeks to improve the livelihood and the socio-economic well-being of the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized communities in the Philippines.
SLP is implemented through a two-track program. The Microenterprise Development Track which supports micro-enterprises in becoming organizationally and economically viable, and the Employment Facilitation Track which assists participants to access appropriate employment opportunities. (JDP/CVBT-PIA CAR)
