Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) Associations from Surigao del Sur gained vital knowledge on business permits, licensing, and access to government services through the SurSur Asenso Forum: Gabay sa Permit, Lisensya, at Serbisyong Publiko, held on March 21, 2025, at Shacene Hotel and Restaurant, Tandag City.

The forum was a collaborative effort spearheaded by the SLP Provincial Operations Office of Surigao del Sur Cluster I, in partnership with various government and institutional stakeholders, including the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), City Cooperative Office of Tandag, Provincial Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office (PEDIPO), Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), and Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Surigao del Sur Government Information Center.

Each partner agency shared valuable insights, providing essential knowledge and skills in different fields. Their contributions created a comprehensive learning experience tailored to the participants’ needs, particularly regarding legal compliance in processing business licenses and accessing government services to help them navigate the business landscape effectively.

“The most significant aspect of the training was gaining a clear understanding of legal compliance for business permit processing and accessing essential government services that support our associations’ growth. We now feel much more confident in operating our businesses and are better equipped to elevate our ventures to the next level,” said Maria Jocelyn Vallescas, President of the Mabahin Friendly Women SLP Association.

She also expressed her appreciation to SLP and the participating agencies for organizing a well-structured and impactful activity that significantly contributed to their professional growth.

“As the association president, I sincerely thank SLP and all the partner agencies for this valuable initiative. It has been an incredible learning experience, and we are truly grateful for the opportunity to gain these essential skills and insights, which will help us grow both professionally and personally,” she added.

This forum is just one of many interventions offered by the program to address participants’ diverse needs and support their development. Through various initiatives, the program aims to equip individuals with the skills, resources, and knowledge needed to succeed in their ventures. Each intervention is carefully designed to provide meaningful opportunities for growth, empowering participants to overcome challenges, seize opportunities, and contribute to the broader community’s progress.