Twenty-five women from Indigenous People (IP) group in Geographically Isolated and Depressed Areas (GIDA) in Laua-an, Antique are now generating income from dressmaking.
This after these 25 women underwent a nine-day livelihood skills training on sewing recently.
IP focal person Don Sasu said these Pantawid beneficiaries were taught sewing techniques and basic business practices.
“We want also to empower the trainees with valuable technical skills and financial management to other IPs in their localities to develop and enhance their entrepreneurship skills,” Sasu said.
Sasu also said each recipient has availed of asewing machine as their starter kit to be used for their livelihood.
The training is implemented by the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) which targets beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. The IP women are also Pantawid beneficiaries.
SLP is a community‐based program which
provides capacity building to improve the program
participants’ socio‐economic status. First, it supports microenterprises to become organizationally and economically viable. 
Second, it links participants to employment opportunities.

THANKFUL
Being the oldest among the recipients, Epefania Samillano, 59, of Barangay Guiamon, said the sewing machine is a very big help to her family especially that her husband only earns through charcoal making.
Samillano also said that she will share what she learned from the training to her fellow IPs.
On her part, Tita Puetes of Barangay Tigunhao, said participating into training is a “blessing to them.”
“I could have my own income and thus help my husband,” she said.
These women are now selling sewn dresses in the community.//dswd6/Montesa G. Caoyonan