MALAPATAN, Sarangani (September 7, 2022) – To help micro, small enterprise owners and low-income workers, the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) provided a Livelihood Assistance Grant (LAG) to some eligible families whose livelihood were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and the implementation of community quarantines.
Through the Office of President Ferdinand Romualdez-Marcos Jr., with the efforts and initiatives of Governor Rogelio "Ruel" D. Pacquiao, Congressman Steve Chiongbian Solon, former Senator Emmanuel "Manny" D. Pacquiao, and Senator Bong Go, a total of P2.2M worth of LAG was distributed to some 194 beneficiaries in Malapatan on September 7.
Of the total LAG fund, P750,000 were from the funds under the office of Governor Pacquiao, and P714,000 were from the office of Congressman Solon.
According to Girlie Ann Somosot, Project Development Officer II of DSWD XII, each beneficiary received an assistance ranging from P10,000 to P14,000.
She explained that LAG was instituted to primarily assist eligible beneficiaries in recovering from economic losses by augmenting financial aid to new or existing micro-enterprise projects and augmenting their expenses for pre-employment requirements.
According to Somosot, most of the barangays in Malapatan were catered to which were identified during the rollout of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) conducted during the height of the pandemic.
"Before natin sila ina-identify as beneficiary, we are conducting validation first, ‘tsaka natin kina-qualify," Somosot explained.
"Kung sino yung mga beneficiaries na naka-receive ng SAP na nag-declare na meron silang livelihood, sila po yung kini-cater natin dito, including our 4Ps beneficiaries," she added.
Somosot stated that the DSWD will conduct a monitoring activity every three months to ensure the LAG's sustainability.
Mayor Salway Sumbo Jr. expressed his gratitude to the provincial and national officials, especially to former Senator Pacquiao and former President Rodrigo Duterte. "Maski og wala na sila sa pwesto, ang ilang pagpalangga para sa katawhan kay nagpabilin og padayon natong nasinati," he said.
The mayor also reminded the beneficiaries to use the assistance wisely. "Ayaw ninyo igasto ang inyong madawat nga hinabang sa temporary ra nga mga butang, i-invest na ninyo para mulambo og kung adunay pandemyang muabot, aduna na moy kakwaan para maka-survive," Sumbo said.
Present during the activity were Chief of Staff Atty. Stephany Datig representing Governor Pacquiao and Provincial Information Officer Joana Grace Lapore.
On the same day, the DSWD also conducted the distribution of LAG to the towns of Glan, Alabel, and Malungon.
Despite the challenges brought about by the pandemic, the DSWD pledges to continue to implement programs to help low-income families recover from the socio-economic impact of the ongoing health crisis. (Joshua John S. Pantonial/SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)
Martin Fernando E. Bernad Jr.