The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) launched the new and improved Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) to ensure that its livelihood interventions are innovative and remain responsive to the needs of its participants.
During the grand launch of “Sibol: the New SLP” on Friday (May 26), at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian introduced to the public, partners and other stakeholders the integrated five-year livelihood sustainability plan of the program, that will further enhance its implementation to become more effective and relevant.
Sibol, as the new brand of the program, represents the step-by-step growth in the journey of SLP participants toward an improved well-being with equitable access to livelihood assets and resources.
“Like a plant, we grow with you. We make sure that we plant the seed, we nurture it, we water it, we watch it grow, and we watch it turn into something bigger than what it was. Iyon ang (That’s the) bottom line,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
The Secretary also mentioned that improvement in the guidelines of SLP implementation was made as part of the Department’s effort to empower its intended clients.
“We want to make sure that our development programs are not one-shot deals – that we provide the cash and we say goodbye. But rather, we want to make sure it is sustainable and that we partner, monitor and grow the economic enterprise with you,” the DSWD chief said.
The enhanced program aims to expedite the implementation process, rationalize cost parameters, and provide new training or capacity-building activities.
Achieving sustainable livelihood
Under the new framework, program participants will need a longer incubation period of five years, and will be provided with intensified capability-building activities and additional livelihood incentives.
SLP participants, during the first year of the program implementation (Punla), will be prepared and cultivated with the basic knowledge and skills in starting up their own micro-enterprise or in securing employment.
The next two years (Usbong and Sibol) will be focused on maintaining their livelihood become operational and able to secure positive gross sales and net income.
In year four (Yabong), program participants will be expected to prosper and bring their products to a wider and multi-faceted market.
“We want to ensure that we are your partner in growing that small business into a formal enterprise,” the Secretary pointed out.
The culminating phase (Ani) of the sustainability plan is the actual graduation of the participants, wherein they will be provided with a livelihood grant and incentive worth not more than Php 250,000 per association.
Strengthening program’s sustainability with partners
During his presentation, Secretary Gatchalian called for the support of the local government units (LGUs), private sector, partner agencies and other stakeholders in strengthening the sustainability of the new SLP.
“Hopefully, everybody will help us grow this vision together,” the DSWD secretary said.
The SM Foundation reaffirmed their 3-decade-long public-private partnership with the DSWD in promoting a sustainable livelihood for the poor and marginalized and providing a platform for small-scale business owners, such as SLP participants, to introduce their products to a wider market.
“We have worked hand in hand with you in mobilizing trade fairs and sustainable agriculture programs under Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan,” Mr. Steven Tan, President of SM Supermalls said.
Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano also expressed support for the sustainable livelihood initiatives of the DSWD.
“Let’s transform the lives of the economically deprived and socially vulnerable,” the Pasay City Mayor said.
Various partners such as the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR), the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) were present to express support for the sustainability plan of SLP during the consignment ceremony.
Showcasing SLP products
Aside from the official launch of the new SLP, the event also provided a venue for the SLP Associations to introduce their products to a wider and multi-faceted market.
Program participants from Regions I-XII, National Capital Region (NCR), Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Caraga Region, and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) exhibited their products including hand-crafted bags, fans, hats, traditional costumes, furniture, local delicacies, spread and crops, among others.
Through the SLP bazaar, the brands and products of the program participants were made visible and known to the public.
The SLP continues to be the Department’s lead livelihood capability-building program for poor, vulnerable, and marginalized households and communities, that helps improve their socio-economic conditions through accessing and acquiring necessary assets to engage in and maintain thriving livelihoods.
