Parañaque launches urban poor program

The Parañaque City Government has started implementing a program aimed at benefiting the city’s urban poor sector.

Mayor Florencio Bernabe said they organized the "SEA-K program" in cooperation with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) National Capital Region to help poor communities generate their own business.

"We believe in giving our marginalized constituents an opportunity to start their own business because it will inspire them to work and generate their own income. By providing these programs we help them realize that goal," he said.

Bernabe said programs like SEA-K promote self-reliance and the discipline needed by the city and its people to attain progress.

The city government, through the Parañaque DSWD headed by Dean Calleja, extends loans worth P5,000 to each qualified program beneficiary. These loans are channeled through registered community associations composed of 25 members who have come up with feasible business proposals in their community.

The loan is payable within six months without interest or collateral.

Associations that have benefited from this program are the Sampaguita Ipil Site SEA-K Association in Barangay BF Homes, JC Smile Santo Niño SEA-K Association in Barangay Sto. Niño, Ugnayan Wawa Sto. Niño SEA-K Association in Barangay Sto. Niño, Greenhills SEA-K Association in Barangay San Dionisio, Lower Barangay SEA-K in Barangay San Antonio and Silverio SEA-K Assoication in Barangay San Isidro. Each association established various types of businesses such as fish and food vending; sari-sari stores; and school supplies and accessories. – Rhodina Villanueva