Baguio: The Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) has been instrumental in equipping its beneficiaries with essential leadership and business management skills, in addition to enhancing their economic status.
According to Philippines News Agency, Mary Ann Buclao, the promotive services division chief of the DSWD-Cordillera Administrative Region, emphasized the program's role in transforming women into entrepreneurs. Buclao highlighted the importance of teaching beneficiaries how to manage and grow their businesses, which she described as the most critical component of the SLP. The program serves as an augmentation assistance to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries and others in the indigent sector, aiming to uplift their lives through livelihood activities and capacity building.
Marcelina Ciano, president of the Happy Hollow farmers' association in Baguio, shared the positive impact of the SLP on both group and individual incomes. She recounted how their PHP450,000 SLP grant for a poultry and agricultural venture in 2023 has grown to PHP1.6 million, allowing each of the 40 members to receive PHP11,000 as an initial share. Ciano expressed plans to expand their ventures by increasing poultry numbers and exploring additional activities like baking.
The SLP, initiated by the DSWD in 2011, has continuously evolved to meet the needs of vulnerable sectors through capacity building, community-based approaches, and innovative livelihood interventions. As part of DSWD's convergence strategy, the SLP prioritizes 4Ps beneficiaries, offering them a pathway to sustain and expand socio-economic gains beyond the 4Ps.
Hedeliza Fernandez, SLP regional program coordinator, detailed the range of economic ventures undertaken by beneficiaries, including handicraft making, agricultural activities, farm supply, gasoline vending, poultry, and hog raising. Since 2023, the program duration has been extended from two to five years, allowing for more comprehensive development. Fernandez likened the program's progression to a growing seed, from initial capital (punla) to further expansion and eventual transfer to local government units for continued support.
Records show that since its inception, the SLP has economically benefited approximately 80,000 households, with an 80 percent success rate. Additionally, 13,000 individual beneficiaries have received PHP15,000 each as a livelihood grant, underscoring the program's broad impact.
