Butuan City – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) celebrated yesterday its grand year – end activity dubbed as the 3rd Annual Congress 2014 (Sama – samang isulong and Layuning Pangkabuhayan para sa Pagbabago) at the Robinson’s Place.
The 3rd Annual Congress is designed to showcase the products and services engaged by the program participants from the different provinces in the region and link them to the market with sustainable demand.
It also underscored the sharing of best practices and stories from all successful social – entrepreneurs like Ms. Lilibeth Polinar of Marihatag, Surigao del Sur who was awarded as the Best Individual micro – enterprise all over the Philippines and also the Water Lily SKA Association of the municipality of San Luis, Agusan del Sur best group enterprise during the recently concluded “Bangon Kabuhayan” awarding ceremony held in Manila last month.
To recognize the efforts and support of DSWD partners, giving of certificates was done as one of the best parts, Local Government Units (LGUs), National Government Agencies (NGAs), and other partners received the plaque of recognition. LGUs of Gigaguit, SdN; Las Nieves AdN; Lingig SdS; Loreto AdS; and Cagdianao, PDI received plaques of appreciation for being adjudged as supportive LGUs in the implementation of SLP over the years.
Also, the partner from national line agencies and academe received recognition for supporting the cause of the SLP in poverty reduction.
SLP Director Georgina Ann H. Hernandez from the National Project Management Office (NPMO) served as the keynote speaker of the said event.
Director Hernadez congratulated the region for coming – up with a grand activity which is another milestone marked by the Department.
“Lingid po sa ating lahat na ang SLP Caraga po ang masasabi kong pinakamagaling sa lahat ng rehiyon. Palagi po silang nangunguna sa karamihan,” Director Hernandez shared.
Regional Director Minda B. Brigoli in her message said that the Congress in its 3rd year of implementation is a retrospect of the SLP achievements, glorifying the present blessing and preparing for next challenges on the pursuit of uplifting the socio – economic status of poor families and communities in the region.
She also added that DSWD’s passion is to engage all program participants into resource – based, market – driven, and socially acceptable micro-enterprise and employment opportunities through the purposive and collaborative efforts from the government and the beneficiaries.
The grand feast culminated with a fashion show of the different products from the selected SLP staff and Caraga models.
SLP has evolved over the years from mere capital assistance of SEA – Kaunlaran to comprehensive capacity building program of the participants. Program participants are not only provided with financial capital for their micro enterprise but as well as linking them to resource – based and market – driven opportunities by way of them to institutional markets. ###(DSWD FO Caraga)
