MAINIT – Two associations in Mainit, Surigao del Norte rejoiced as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga handed them livelihood projects through its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) on August 9, 2023.

In coordination with the Local Government Unit of Mainit and BDO Unibank Inc.’s Cash Agad, the Field Office handed a remittance center and photocopy services to the Siana Golden Mothers’ Association of Barangay Siana. At the same time, the Magpayang Irrigators’ SLP Association of Barangay Magpayang received a Duck Egg Production project.

The project granted to the Siana Golden Mothers’ Association with a total cost of Php300,000 was funded through SLP’s Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA). The provision of this project is part of the association’s second tranche. During their first tranche, the SLPA opted to venture into rice trading and acquired a one-unit multi-cab as a means of transportation to deliver their product.

About their remittance center project, the association applied to BDO Unibank Inc.’s Cash Agad. This service uses a POS terminal to allow ATM cardholders to perform various banking transactions through Cash Agad partner agents, such as the Siana Golden Mothers’ Association’s remittance project. Through Cash Agad, cash withdrawals are more accessible, faster, and safer in areas where there are no available banks or ATMs.

As for the Duck Egg Production project of the Magpayang Irrigators’ SLPA, the said project was funded through the Zero Hunger Program of SLP and has a total project cost of Php450,000.

On behalf of the Magpayang Irrigators’ SLPA members, Association President Lucio Birad expressed his gratitude to the DSWD and encouraged the association members to take things one day at a time until they achieve their goals. “Daghang salamat sa DSWD labi na SLP Zero Hunger. Ug sa akong mga kaubanan, maghinay-hinay ra ta hantod sa makuha nato ang kalambuan (Thank you very much to the DSWD, especially to the SLP Zero Hunger [Program]. And to my companions, let us grow slowly until we achieve success).” (Social Marketing Section/DSWD Field Office Caraga)