A group of beneficiaries from Bacolod Lanao del Norte opens a rice retailing business through the assistance of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Sustainable Livelihood Program. Having thirty (30) members, the Delabayan West Association received the amount of One Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos (P150,000.00) as capital assistance to start their business placed in Barangay West Delabayan.

This project was particularly identified by the group after going through several social preparation activities, basic micro-enterprise management training and other related skills training, also considering the geographical location and market demand for rice in their area.

“Nagpasalamat jud ‘mi nga naa na’mi negosyo diri sa amoa kay dili na’mi kinahanglan motugbong sa lungsod aron mamalit (we are truly grateful to be able to establish this business in our place because we need not go downtown to purchase goods)”, says Sairah M. Lando, beneficiary.

The Sustainable Livelihood Program is a multi-stakeholder program of the department that aims to improve the standard of living of poor households by facilitating opportunities for development and management of resources viable for micro-enterprises, community empowerment through skills trainings and employment facilitation.

Written by Jamila M. Taha, DSWD