Personnel from the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga bagged multiple awards during the Gawad Sulong 2024 on August 30, 2024, at Sequoia Hotel, Quezon City.
Jemima Casipe from Agusan del Sur was hailed as the Best Monitoring Project Development Officer (MPDO). She was actively involved in the implementation of EO 70, which centered on institutionalizing the whole-of-nation approach in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace. She worked for former rebels (FR) as MPDO across the province. She monitored some 80 FRs while traveling to remote and rough barangays across 13 municipalities. She overcame all those adversities while she was pregnant. In addition, Casipe also eyes to monitor 882 recipients of Livelihood Assistance Grants (LAG) 1, LAG 2, LAG 2021, IDP, LAG-FLR, PAMANA, and SLP Regular.
“I never thought I would receive an award not only at the regional level but also on the national stage. All the struggles I faced, especially during monitoring days while pregnant in 2021 when I almost lost my baby, have finally paid off,” Casipe stated.
Furthermore, Corinah Dela Fuente, also assigned in the same province, was named as the Best Provincial Monitoring and Evaluation Officer. She was recognized for her remarkable contribution to the program. She developed a new strategy that benefits newly assigned PDOs in remote areas. She provided recordings of video tutorials that demonstrate how to install, update, and encrypt information in the SLP Offline Database so that they could comprehend the process with ease. That initiative won her the Sibol Tagapagturo: Best M&E Mentor Award. All that while dealing with anxiety disorder.
“This recognition comes as an unexpected but meaningful reminder of why I do what I do. My intention has always been simple: to support my coworkers in any way I can. It serves as a powerful nudge that when we genuinely care for one another and work together with the best of intentions, we can achieve remarkable things,” she remarked.
On the other hand, Jeffrey Jay Salvador from Surigao Del Norte Cluster II placed 2nd for the Best Administrative Staff. He developed a structured Document Tracking System that streamlined SLP implementation throughout Surigao del Norte, ensuring thorough and organized document review. His creativity also came to the fore when he designed packaging layouts and labels for Sison Tart Production SLP Association products in 2021, contributing to their success in winning second place in the Gawad Ani – Transform Category during the SLP Caraga Pag-ila 2023. In addition, Salvador played a crucial role in compiling necessary documents, photos, and videos for the Nabago SLP Association, which earned first place during the SLP Sulong Bayanihan 2021.
“I am humbled and grateful to have received the 2nd place award for Best Administrative Staff at GAWAD Sulong 2024. Thank you to everyone who believed in my work and stood by me throughout this journey. This recognition encourages me to strive for excellence and contribute to our organization’s success,” said Salvador.
On top of that, SLP Caraga also received a Certificate of Recognition for its commendable Good Practice and Documentation entitled “SLPM – School of Leadership and Project Management,” authored by SLP Caraga Regional Program Coordinator Renante G. Abendanio, which capacitates SLP staff with technical skills necessary to their function, including proposal making, product innovation, and financial literacy, among others.
