Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian was welcomed on Thursday (January 22) by the members of the Abelo Sustainable Livelihood Program Association (SLPA) to their peanut processing facility at Purok 4, Barangay Abelo, San Nicolas, Batangas.
Secretary Gatchalian, joined by Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao, engaged in a dialogue with San Nicolas Mayor Lester de Sagun and the SLPA beneficiaries. The DSWD officials observed the peanut butter production processing plant under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).
The SLPA, headed by President Florencia B. Morada, is composed of 20 women members, 15 of whom are Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries, with 12 already graduated from the program. The association became fully operational following the opening of its peanut butter processing facility in December 2025.
Currently, the group sells its peanut butter products at Php60, Php100, and Php130, depending on size.
In December 2025, the SLPA recorded total sales of Php146,160, generating a gross profit of Php41,664.40, reflecting the early gains of the women-led livelihood.
The SLPA had earlier received Php300,000 in livelihood capital in May 2025, along with technology training in peanut butter processing and a basic food hygiene seminar conducted in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
The visit, the first of four stops of Secretary Gatchalian in Batangas, highlighted the Department’s commitment to strengthening community-based enterprises that empower women and boost local economies. (CC)
