TALISAY CITY, Negros Occidental – The DSWD Sustainable Livelihood Program, as part of its regular target to provide livelihood opportunities for graduates of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, has provided a total of ₱750,000.00 worth of Seed Capital Fund for two organized Pantawid graduates associations in the City of Talisay.
With the available funds, the Livelihood Association of Pantawid Graduates Chapters 1 and 2 ventured into the laundry services enterprise. The presence of two state universities in the city, the Technological University of the Philippines Visayas and the Carlos Hilado Memorial State University, demands for more laundry services establishments that will cater to students, faculty, and residents. With the potential market, the associations, through the technical assistance of the local government unit and Negros Occidental SLP Provincial Office, took the opportunity to utilize resources and set up the Palaba sa Pantawid Pamilya.
The Local Government Unit of Talisay also provided a total of ₱300,000.00 as LGU counterpart and additional capital. The pooled funds were used to purchase wash and dry laundry machines, procure shop fixtures, and cover other initial operating expenses. Angel’s Wings Foundation headed by the city’s First Lady Atty. Rowena “Weng” Lopez-Lizares also donated a unit of tricycle for the pick-up and delivery service of the enterprise.
During its grand opening last January 17, 2023, Assistant Regional Director for Operations Arwin O. Razo expressed his appreciation to the Pantawid graduates associations and the City of Talisay for coming up with a laudable community-based innovation. Director Razo also challenged stakeholders to expand the same business in other barangays or further conceptualize innovative livelihood for their constituents.
Present in the activity were City Vice Mayor Jose Nicolas V. Jalandoni III, First Lady Atty. Rowena “Weng” Lopez-Lizares, City Councilor and SP Committee Chair on Social Services Rolin Albert Meliton, and City Social Welfare and Development Officer Dionela Flores – Madrona. Promotive Services Division Chief Luna Moscoso, Pantawid staff headed by Division Chief Belen Gebusion, SLP Regional Program Management Office staff headed by Regional Program Coordinator Mary Ann Masculino, and Negros Occidental SLP Provincial Office staff headed by Provincial Coordinator Emily Bacaoco were also at the event to facilitate and witness the grand opening.
