Province of Dinagat Islands – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga, through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), recently turned-over the King Crab and Fattening project to the 20 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program partner-beneficiaries who are members of of Benhan SLP Association of Sitio Kabiton-an, Brgy. Benglen, Municipality of Basilisa in this province on April 8, 2016.

The event was also graced by the Municipal Social Welfare Development Officer (MSWDO) of Basilisa, Gladys Gay L. Piodo and Francis Mansalay Jr., the Community Development Officer II/ Mangrove and Forest Development Focal of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of the said province.

“Ang Gobyerno nalipay na kami nakatabang kaninyo ug hinaot na inyong amumahon ang proyekto (The Government is happy to assist you and we hope you will take good care of this project),” said MSWDO Piodo to the members of the said association.

SLP has provided an assistance through skills training with starter kits. The training primarily focused on production, feeding and cage making.

On the other hand, Mansalay from PENRO shared his happiness that the project was finally pushed through.

“We did not have second thoughts to allow the association to use the area for the implementation of the said project,” he said.

“It is an honor that we became part of DSWD’s goal in improving the socio-economic status of these beneficiaries,” Mansalay added.

In partnership with PENRO, the association was able to ensure that the 1-hectare Mangrove area is feasible and was permitted to use for the abovementioned project.

Moreover, the association had “bayanihan” or voluntary service during the preparation. With the collaborative efforts, they were able to build a cage that can store 2,000 crabs. They dedicatedly gave help without expecting in return.

Happiness filled the space when the association’s president, Marilyn Gante, along with the invited guests cut the ribbon.

An immense dose of gratitude was felt when the 2,000 baby crabs were freed.

“Dako among kalipay ug pasalamat na natagaan mi ani kadako nga proyekto nga maoy mahimong susi sa paglambo sa among kinabuhi   (We are very happy and grateful that a huge project like this was given to us that will be our key in improving our lives),” said Gante.

“Amo kining paga-amumahon ug maayo aron kini mulahutay (We will take good care of this project so that this will be sustained),” she added.

The group is also willing to start and engage business on crab processing to expand their business operations, thus, creating more income.

SLP, one of the anti-poverty programs implemented by DSWD, has two (2) tracks namely Microenterprise Development and Employment Facilitation.  The latter is a provision of capacity-building program that focuses on micro-enterprise development, skills enhancement, networking, and partnership building, and provision of capital assistance to poor families. ###(MARY CARMELLE C. JUMAWAN/Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga)