Butuan City – The Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development recently conducted its first consultative dialogue with the Municipal Social Welfare Development Officers (MSWDOs) of sets 1 and 2 areas of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

The activity aimed to update the MSWDOs and DSWD staff on SLP matters and accomplishments per Municipality.

The activity was also participated by the Provincial and City Social Welfare Officers, Provincial/Local Counterparts of the Project Development Officers (PDOs) of SLP, Social Welfare Officers III of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and Social Welfare Officers II of Convergence.

“I am happy that SLP conducted this activity because it is the right venue for us to raise our issues and concerns on what is really happening in the implementation of SLP in our areas,” said Nenita P. Plaza, MSWDO, Taganaan,Surigao del Norte.

In Caraga region, there are 18, 972 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries served by SLP through SEA-K providing Capital seed fund of 149, 796, 500.00.

It was observed that in San Luis, Agusan del Sur, which is a place near Agusan River their fish cage project is successful. With the help of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) introduced the new technology on Tilapia Cage Culture Production and provide trainings to the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries. The design of the fish cage is not rooted or embedded from the land that allows water to flow. So, rain or shine the water in the pond is in normal level. With this Tilapia Cage Culture Project produces 8, 000 or more tilapia per pond. The value-added products from tilapia are the imbutido, lumpia, fish nuggets, fish chicharon, burger patty, dried fish, polvoron and fish balls. For now, their main customer is the LGU of San Luis but they are also in the process of marketing their products outside the town.

“I am glad that I attended the SLP consultative dialogue because I was reminded of my responsibilities. SLP is indeed a good program especially to our Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries,” said Daisybeil Demavivas, PSWDO/OIC, Agusan del Norte.

“Not all have the opportunity to help others. So we must go beyond our capacity in helping to eradicate the poverty in our region. Let’s have a sense of ownership of this program,” SLP Head Roy Serdeña said.

The Sustainable Livelihood Program is a community-based capacity building program aimed at improving the participants’ socio-economic status. First, it supports micro-enterprises to become organizationally and economically viable.  Second, it also links participants to employment opportunities. ### Social Marketing Unit (Maria Cecilia N. Sosas)