A total of 9,727 beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program from all over Western Visayas have already availed of livelihood projects as the DSWD and other agencies converge to help them.
According to Mary Ann Masculino, regional project development officer of DSWD, the number represents 85 percent of their target for 2012 which is 11,230, the total beneficiaries under Set 1. Set 1 refers to the first batch of Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries who started receiving cash grants for health and nutrition way back in 2009.
“We are grateful to the agencies and organizations who are our partners in the implementation of livelihood projects. These include the Department of Agriculture, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, other NGAs, Local Government Units and Micro-Finance Institutions,” said Masculino.
Masculino revealed that the DSWD itself has provided seed capital to a total of 3,373 beneficiaries of Pantawid. Aside from this number, a total of 1,876 are currently undergoing Basic Business Management Training and preparatory activities for them to avail of seed capital from the department.
“But aside from this, we salute our partners who give their service voluntarily to help us enable households earn more in a sustainable manner so that when they graduate from the program, they can stand on their own and already earn for their families,” she said.
Masculino is on top of the implementation of the Sustainable Livelihood Program of DSWD in Western Visayas. Under the program, beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilya are either provided seed capital to start up or expand their livelihood projects or are accessed to livelihood opportunities, micro-finance institutions and other agencies.
“When the subsidy for the education and health of their children is over, we want them to be able to stand on their own and earn for themselves and their families,” she said.
Based on the report of Masculino, the following agencies, Local Government Units (LGUs) and organizations have implemented livelihood projects for Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries:
• Department of Agriculture-implementation of cash for work prokect for 1161 beneficiaries
• Deparment of Public Works and Highways-implementation of Trabahong Lansangan for 525 beneficiaries
• LGU of San Remigio, Antique- banana and root crop processing for 670 beneficiaries
• Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in partnership with Office of Provincial Agriculture-banana chips making, ginger-making, Coco Sugar and Vinegar production, instant salabat making for 732 beneficiaries
• Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)- fruits and vegetables processing, accessories and jewelries making and basic entrepreneurship training for 51 beneficiaries
• Department of Environment and Natural Resources- Employment facilitation under its National Greening Program for 37 beneficiaries
• Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)- Technical Skills Training (Simple bookkeeping and marketing) for 32 beneficiaries
• Technical Education Skills Development Authority- Massage therapy training for 11 beneficiaries
• LGU of Laua-an, Antique and its Municipal Agriculture Office-Vegetable production and Sloping Agricultural Land for 1,339 beneficiaries
• LGU of Barbaza, Antique- Technological Skills training for 836 beneficiaries
• LGU of Valderama, Antique- Employment facilitation under the Watershed Management and Agro Forestry Development Project Management and Agro Forestry Development project for 23 beneficiaries
• LGU Valderama -Technological training on Upland development on banana production fpr 42 beneficiaries
• Barbaza Multi-Purpose Cooperative-Credit, Savings, Micro Insurance Provision for 24 beneficiaries
• Bugasong Multi-Purpose Cooperative- Credit, Savings, Micro Insurance Provision for 24 beneficiaries for 34 beneficiaries
• Ahon sa Hirap Inc.-Antique -Credit, Savings, Micro Insurance Provision for 108 beneficiaries
• Taytay sa Kauswagan-Credit, Savings, Micro Insurance Provision for 26 beneficiaries
• Center for Community Transformation- Credit, Savings, Micro Insurance Provision for 17 beneficiaries
• BPI Globe Banko Negros -Values formation, credit facilitation for 403 beneficiaries
• SM Foundation-Farmers Training on Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan focusing on Organic farming/dswd6