DSWD sends financial aid to livelihood groups

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7), through its Sustainable Livelihood Program, has released P6.4 million to 10 livelihood associations in Talisay City, Carcar City, and San Fernando town.

“We hope that with this cash assistance you could start your own business and eventually improve your livelihood,” regional director Mercedita Jabagat said during the ceremonial turnover of checks recently.

Kerwin Macopia, information officer of the DSWD-Central Visayas, said each beneficiary can borrow up to P10,000 and will be closely monitored.

However, the cash aid would need to be paid back within two years.

In San Fernando, four livelihood associations received checks.

These are Greenland Kalipi - 10 beneficiaries amounting to P69,000.00; Balungag Kalipi SKG - 10 beneficiaries amounting to P98,000.00; Liburon Kalipi SKG - 10 beneficiaries amounting to P70,000.00; Greenhills Kalipi SKG - 9 beneficiaries amounting to P86,000.00.

In Carcar City, at least nine livelihood associations received checks. These are Motor Drivers SEAK Group - 12 beneficiaries amounting to P120,000.00; Bonbon Seaweeds Fishermen SEAK Group - 19 beneficiaries amounting to P190,000.00; Carcar Women 1 SKA - 30 beneficiaries amounting to P300,000.00; Napo Drivers SEAK Group - 15 beneficiaries amounting to P150,000.00; Carcar PWD 1 SEAK Group - 27 beneficiaries amounting to P147,000.00; Carcar Women II SKA - 30 beneficiaries amounting to P300,000.00; Ocana Mag-uuma SEAK Group - 9 beneficiaries amounting to P71,900.00; Carcar Tricycle Drivers Association II - 28 beneficiaries amounting to P280,000.00; Carcar PWD II SKA - 25 beneficiaries amounting to P153,000.00

For Talisay City, Macopia said the DSWD gave 1.7M for their Expanded Productivity Skills Capability Bldg. (PSCB) Sustainable Livelihood.

Macopia said other borrowers opted to borrow lesser than P10,000 that is the reason why the amount varies with every association.

The program is under the Bottom-Up Budgeting (BuB) approach in which the local government unit prepares the budget proposal, taking into consideration the development needs of poor cities and municipalities as identified in their respective local poverty reduction action plans formulated by basic sector organizations and other civil society organizations.

Under the SLP-BUB, the beneficiaries belong to poor households. (FREEMAN)