DSWD launches first DSWD-DENR agro-forestry livelihood partnership project

Posted on March 30, 2020

DSWD SLP National Program Director Restituto Macuto (2nd from the left) leads the ribbon cutting ceremony of the rubber cuplump trading livelihood project of the Desamparados Community Development and Forestry Management Inc. (DCDFMAI) on March 2, 2020. He was joined by Talacogon Mayor Pauline Marie Masendo (2nd person from the right), DENR Division Chief for Conservation and Development Nilda Ebron (3rd person from the right), SP Cesar Alonde (1st person from the right), and SP Nilo Manpatilan (1st person from the left).

TALACOGON, ADS – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga, through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), launched its first agroforestry livelihood project in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on March 2, 2020 at Brgy. Desamparados, Talacogon, Agusan del Sur. This project is only the pilot project for the Php20 Million DSWD SLP-DENR agro-forestry sustainable livelihood project.

The Rubber Cuplump Trading project, amounting to Php 1,050,000.00, was turned over by the two agencies to the program beneficiaries of the Desamparados Community Development and Forest Management Association, Inc. (DCDFMAI).

DCDFMAI is only one of the 24 people’s organizations recipient of this project in the region.

The turnover activity was graced by DSWD SLP National Program Director Restituto Macuto, DSWD Division Chief for Promotive Services Jean Paul Parajes and SLP Regional Program Coordinator Mary Ann Manla. The DSWD team was joined by DENR Division Chief for Conservation and Development Nilda Ebron, Provincial Environment and Natural Resouces Officer Jose Flavior Concha, and Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer Vince Esopito. Talacogon Municipal Mayor Pauline Marie Masendo and Municipal Vice Mayor Melchor Demegillo were also present for the LGU.

Also present in the turnover ceremony were Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) members Nilo Manpatilan, SP Cesar Alonde, DSWD and DENR field staff, municipal and barangay officials.

DCDFMAI Chairman Joel Hilarion said that this was the first time their community received such an opportunity. He emphasized how grateful they were to the two agencies and the LGU for providing them this livelihood project.

“Kami nagapasalamat gyud sa DSWD-SLP ug sa DENR sa oportunidad na ilang gihatag sa amo. Pati na sab sa among LGU sa way puwas na suporta. Maningkamot gyud mi nga mulambo ni nga proyekto (We are grateful to the DSWD-SLP and DENR for the opportunity they have given us. We are also thankful to the local government unit for their unwavering support. Rest assured, we will try our best to ensure the expansion and sustainability of this project),” he expressed.

*Desamparados Community Development and Forestry Management Inc. Chairman Joel Hilarion expressed his gratitude to the DSWD, DENR, and LGU during the turnover ceremony.*

Together with the other members of the association and the other members of the community, they committed that they will do all means to take good care of the project so that many farmers can benefit from it in the future.

The DCDFMAI decided to engage in rubber cuplumps trading because their locality is blessed with an abundant source of rubber.

This partnership project of the DSWD and DENR was created to promote poverty alleviation by capacitating and empowering vulnerable communities, families, and individuals in the upland and coastal areas while protecting the environment. The two agencies inked a memorandum of agreement on December 14, 2018. (DSWD Field Office Caraga/Social Marketing Section)