In an effort to further enhance the socio-economic conditions of the beneficiaries of its livelihood program, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) hosted a “Kabuhayan” convention on Thursday (August 29) at the Quezon City Hall’s Risen Garden.

Dubbed as “Alunsina: The Sustainable Livelihood Program’s (SLP) Kabuhayan Convention” facilitated connections between SLP beneficiaries, industry experts, and potential business partners, with the goal of opening up new avenues for growth and expansion for SLP associations.

“This gathering aims not only to showcase their products but also to provide them with a broader platform to introduce these to various markets. We wanted to create opportunities for wider reach, networking, and collaboration that will pave the way for the continuous growth of their businesses,” DSWD Asst. Secretary for Specialized Programs under Operations Group Florentino Loyola Jr. said in his message at the livelihood fair.

The convention featured products crafted by SLP participants from various regions, including buri and bamboo handicrafts, abaca-made items, pili accessories, rattan goods, nito-weaved products, and vegetable chips, among others.

Named after Alunsina, the all-powerful goddess of the eastern skies in Philippine mythology, the convention reflected the SLP’s mission to empower marginalized households and communities to cultivate and harvest their own successes, according to Asst. Secretary Loyola.

“Through our celebration, we hope to introduce the SLP not only to its target participants but also to the broader public, helping more people and changing their lives,” Asst. Secretary Loyola said.

Sandra Talib from South Cotabato and a member of the Strong Thread Association said the grant of Php240,000 livelihood assistance from the SLP in July 2018 has helped her family and the members of their association.

“Malaking tulong po sa amin ang binigay na tulong ng SLP kasi natulungan yung pamilya namin, yung individuals sa amin nagkaroon ng trabaho at pangkabuhayan… Malaking opportunity ri po ito sa amin at malaking tulong din po para ma-showcase po yung mga product po namin,” Sandra said as she expressed her gratitude to the DSWD.

Another SLP participant and a member of the Masigasig Sta. Ana Association, Jesusana Moya from Pateros, was granted livelihood grants in 2011.

“Sa awa po ng Diyos ay tuloy-tuloy pa po dahil po sa tulong na panimula ng DSWD livelihood program. Hanggang ngayon po ay nagagamit namin at lumalago po ang binigay nila na puhunan. Maraming maraming salamat dahil pinagkatiwalaan kaming bigyan ng pasimulang panghanapbuhay sa pamamagitan ng SLP at nang dahil po sa DSWD, umangat po ang aming buhay sa tulong po ng pinagkaloob nila sa amin na dagdag puhunan,” Jesusana said.

The SLP, being one of the core poverty reduction programs of the DSWD, continues to be the lead livelihood capability-building program of the Department for the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized households and communities.

The SLP helps improve the participants’ socio-economic conditions by accessing and acquiring necessary assets to engage in and maintain thriving, sustainable, and resilient livelihood.

The program operates in two tracks: Micro-Enterprise Development (MD) Track and Employment Facilitation (EF) Track.

The MD track focuses on the establishment of microenterprise through provision of financial capital, enhancement of skills, and building / re-building physical and natural assets.

The EF track provides assistance to qualified member/s of poor households who preferred employment rather than engaging in microenterprise. #