THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has provided eligible individuals with livelihood assistance grants (LAG), a form of financial assistance granted to families whose livelihoods were affected by the implementation of the community quarantine.
On April 20, Wednesday, DSWD-National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) started the simultaneous distribution of LAG through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) to beneficiaries in Tagbilaran City held in the City Hall Atrium.
Gindy Ferolino, DSWD Administrative Assistant 2 and Lenibeth Algame DSWD Project Development Officer 2 facilitated the pay-out.
According to City Social Welfare Officer Desiree Faith Lingo, more than 700 beneficiaries already benefitted from the project which started last year.
City Mayor John Geesnell “BABA” Yap in his message stressed the importance of having a stable source of income.
“Aside from nurturing their families, women help men to provide food on the table. This livelihood assistance is relevant in difficult times, specifically during this COVID-19 pandemic and Typhoon Odette. It will provide the needed push to our women to go on despite challenges,” Mayor Yap said.
Due to the quarantine measures amidst the health crisis, livelihood of poor families suffered. In response to this economic crisis, the DSWD said LAG is the recovery and rehabilitation program of the national government to assist families whose small enterprises took a dip due to the strict quarantine measures. Those who are qualified will be given an amount not exceeding Php15,000. The program prioritizes households with low-income or whose small business has been affected by the pandemic.
DSWD suggested utilizing LAG subsidy as capital or additional fund for the recipient’s business. It can also be used to finance the employment requirements for those seeking jobs. Associations or cooperatives may also seek assistance offered under the LAG. It is the local government unit who identifies the potential beneficiaries of LAG, the list will be submitted to their respective DSWD field offices including their livelihood recovery project proposal for verification purposes.
It should also be remembered that fifty-eight women (58) from Tagbilaran City already received livelihood assistance from the CSWD on March 14 this year. These women were trained under the CSWD’s training and education arm on food processing led by Anelsa Sumalinog.
Out of the 58 women, 37 recipients who have an existing small business and SAP (Social Amelioration Program) beneficiaries were handed Php15, 000.00 each to help infuse capital to their existing enterprises. While the remaining 21 recipients received the Tocino and Longganisa Livelihood Starter Package which included 15 kilos of meat, cooler, and food processing ingredients. (Jeanette Busano)
