Selected Field Offices of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), conducted a week-long field implementation check of SLP Associations across the Caraga Region from November 3 to 7, 2025.SLP representatives from Regions I, II, V, VIII, Negros Island Region (NIR), National Capital Region (NCR), Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and the National Program Management Office (NPMO) visited several SLP-assisted livelihood projects to assess program implementation and identify best practices and areas for improvement at the field level.
Prior to the field visit, the team paid a courtesy call to Regional Director Mari-Flor Dollaga, where they presented the objectives of the activity and discussed the overall direction of the operational check in the region.
Among the sites visited were the Consumer Goods Store and Superstore of Kalambuang Hubang SLP Association and the Alegria Farmers SLP Association in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur, as well as the Community-Based Ecotourism Project of BATS Marfil SLP Association in Rosario, Agusan del Sur.
During the exit conference with Assistant Regional Director for Operations (ARDO) Jean Paul Parajes, the assessment team presented their key observations and recommendations based on their evaluations.
One of the highlights noted was the strong partnership between the SLP and the Local Government Units (LGUs), with some LGUs even allocating funds in support of SLP initiatives. The team also commended the harmonious working relationship between LGUs and SLP field implementers. Additionally, the issuance of an Executive Order supporting the provision of Local Project Development Officers (PDOs) and their participation in Training of Trainers (TOT) was cited as a best practice worth replicating in other regions.
The team also lauded SLP-Caraga for its enhanced Micro Enterprise Development Training I, which now includes the administration of SLPA Operational Status (SOS) tools. Local PDOs were also capacitated in the facilitation of social preparation tools and forms, strengthening their ability to guide SLP associations effectively.
Aside from field visits, the team also conducted a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with SLP field staff from Agusan del Norte and the Regional Program Management Office (RPMO). The session provided an avenue for sharing experiences, challenges, and innovative strategies to improve program delivery and ensure alignment with SLP’s long-term goals.
Through this collaborative effort, the DSWD aims to strengthen program delivery, enhance coordination across regional and provincial levels, and ensure that the Sustainable Livelihood Program continues to empower communities toward inclusive and sustainable development.
