Details by Hafzah Goldie D. Marohom

On January 12, 2023, DSWD continues to support peace-building initiatives as they turned over P300,000.00 worth of Seed Capital Fund for three(3) Sustainable Livelihood Program Associations commonly known as “SLPAs” in the municipality of Manolo Fortich and Malitbog.

PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn(PAMANA) is the Philippine government’s framework for peace and development. DSWD is one of the agencies supporting its implementation by providing socio-economic projects and other interventions to geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas and conflict-affected and vulnerable areas.

One of the recipients that received the seed capital fund was  Barangay San Luis PAMANA SLPA which has thirty(30) members located in Malitbog, Bukidnon. 

“Nagplano gyud mi magpalit ug bonggo sir, kay minus ang sakyanan sa among lugar. Sa una naa man to jeep mulabay sa amoa. Karon wala na,” says Zheland Sabuero, the SLPA Secretary.

The SLPA received its second tranche for the program and plans to buy a truck for hauling goods when they buy/sell their products. It is a great leap towards the improvement of their Rice Retailing business when the asset will be bought.

Ms. Sabuero also recounted how their business helped their members in the time of the pandemic as their store helped supply the member’s daily needs. Today, members are slowly paying their debt as most businesses and companies are already operational.

Another recipient to receive the fund was Brgy. Kalugmanan PAMANA SLPA of Manolo Fortich. With twenty-six(26) members, their proposed micro-enterprise project is the Improvement of Warehouse of Drinks and Rice Retailing. The check was handed by Municipal Administrator Joie Caesar Gaid and MSWDO Maria Cecilia Sajonia, RSW.

Last recipient and also a resident in Malitbog is Barangay Kalingking PAMANA SLPA. With twenty-nine(29) members, they also proposed the same project as Barangay  San Luis with the acquisition of trucks to help in trucking and hauling services as they are part of the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Area(GIDA). The cheques in Malitbog were handed by Honorable Gary Casiño and MSWDO Irene S. Pulangas, RSW.

This second tranche spells hope and more opportunities to the PAMANA SLPA beneficiaries as they acquire assets toward a thriving livelihood.