OTON, ILOILO-Farmers and fishermen availed of a P500,000-worth livelihood project on Tuesday (April 25, 2017).

The recipients, numbering to 45, are members of the Movement for Agrarian and Rural Advancement (MARA) in Brgy. Trapiche, Oton, Iloilo.

The seed capital is a fund from DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) through the PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA).

Of the 45 members, eight are identified to be beneficiaries of Pantawid and 37 are identified poor by the DSWD based on its Listahanan database.

The MARA led by President Manny Cabalonga Jr., received the seed capital fund for their rice trading, pedicabs, fishing boat and establishment of trading post where they sell chicken and hog feeds.

Manny said he is very thankful for the opportunity entrusted to them by the government and promised to do their best to sustain and expand their livelihood project.

Meanwhile, Perla Haro, chief of Institutional Development Division (IDD) said through series of community consultation, the participants identified the need for additional financial capital for their market-driven and resource-based production of goods and services that will supply the need of the locality.

Haro added that all the participants especially the beneficiaries have existing livelihoods that have been operational for not less than 10 years.

 

MICRO-ENTERPRISE

Haro said, “The group agreed to consolidate their livelihood projects into an integrated micro-enterprise that will be managed by the association.”

A lot space was provided by the barangay and the LGU of Oton to be used as a terminal for pedicabs and trading post.

Haro said this association will also establish a community-managed credit and savings facility that will provide access to basic financial services to members and non-members alike.

“They shall act as support to economic activity within the locality while serving as a community empowerment initiative”, he ended./dswd/Montesa G. Caoyonan