THE Department of Social Welfare and Development facilitated the payout of the Sustainable Livelihood Program’s Seed Capital Fund and Livelihood Assistance Grant to five association-beneficiaries in Calinog last September 8.
I led the release of ₱1,500,000 to 5 SLP associations that are part of the town’s identified Conflict-affected and Vulnerable Areas (CVAs). The provision of livelihood assistance is under Executive Order 70. SLPAs each received ₱300,000 to start their proposed social enterprises which revolve around agricultural supplies enterprise and basic commodities merchandising.
Calinog Mayor Francisco “Ico” Calvo hosted me and the DSWD regional and central office staff and prepared delicious meal. Maraming salamat Mayor Ico! Prosperity will indeed thrive in Calinog. Calinog by the way means “tahimik” or peaceful.
The program in coordination with the offices of Governor Arthur R. Defensor Jr. and Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go also released ₱500,000 worth of Livelihood Assistance Grant (LAG) to 50 beneficiaries of the municipality. Recipients are small-scale business owners, agricultural vendors, indigenous people, solo parents, senior citizens, and PWDs who received P10,000 each as additional capital for their existing enterprise affected by COVID-19 pandemic.
After the ceremonial payout, program partners and I went to check out the Binolosan Grande Livelihood Association in Brgy. Binolosan Pequeño also in Calinog. The members harvest locally-grown bananas which are then delivered to nearby municipalities for selling as part of their social enterprise. Local officials and members also expressed their gratitude for the assistance received from the program which provided additional income for association members.
Present in the activity were representatives of the Office of Governor Arthur R. Defensor, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, local officials of the municipality, and technical staff of the Sustainable Livelihood Program.
