A total of 68 livelihood associations benefited in the recent series of turnovers and awarding of Civil Society Organization (CSO) Accreditation Certificiates conducted by the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga in the province of Agusan del Sur.

62 of those SLP associations (SLPA) from the municipalities of Esperanza, Sibagat, Prosperidad, San Francisco, Bunawan, Rosario, Trento, Talacogon, and the City of Bayugan from the aforesaid province received Php 29,130,000.00 worth of grant that will set out to be their seed capital, which gives them a significant boost in the operation of their association and other livelihood projects.

The said activity was spearheaded by the SLP Provincial Operations Office of Agusan del Sur and Regional Program Management Office (RPMO). This was also attended by numerous key officials of the province, including the governor himself, Hon. Santiago Cane, Jr.; alongside him were Vice Governor Samuel Tortor and the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Agusan del Sur.

Mariveth Russel, treasurer of Manbungkoan SLPA, lauded the efforts and initiatives of DSWD-SLP and its partners in the local government unit (LGU) and the district office.

“I admire the diligence they demonstrate in providing assistance to livelihood associations, especially here in our province,” Russel remarked.

In a separate activity, SLP turned over livelihood projects to four associations, which are the Mahagcot Rural Improvements, Cubo United, Osmeña Fruit Stand, Osmeña Consumers, Abante Del Monte, Usbong Batucan SLP associations from the different barangays across the province.

The abovementioned associations will work out on various projects they received, including rice retailing, farm and agrivet supply, water and WiFi vending machines, buying and selling of agricultural products, and a consumer store.

“Because of SLP, my long-time dream of having a livelihood in our association has come to life. Thank you so much, SLP, DSWD, and their local government unit (LGU) partners here in Esperanza. We will ensure that this project will prosper through the unity of our members,” said Cubo United Farmers SLPA President Angrechelle Relliquite.

On the other hand, SLP also participated in the National Week for Overcoming Extreme Poverty activity spearheaded by the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC). Alongside SLP were the other program offices of DSWD FO Caraga, including Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), and Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan—Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), where they addressed concerns and provided information should the activity participants need to avail the programs and services of the agency.