DSWD gives P2-M seed money to poor communities in Iloilo town

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) gave a total of P2 million seed money for agri-business and gave cash assistance to several poor communities and pandemic-hit individuals in Calinog town in Iloilo province.

DSWD Undersecretary for Inclusive and Sustainable Peace Alan Tanjusay led the ceremonial payout of the department’s Sustainable Livelihood Program’s Seed Capital Fund and Livelihood Assistance Grant to pre-identified beneficiaries.

Tanjusay said the DSWD gave P300,000 each to five associations that are part of the town’s identified Conflict-affected and Vulnerable Areas (CVAs) and President Marcos’ commitment to continue to implement Executive Order 70 issued by former President Duterte which combine multi-agency effort to address grassroot poverty in poor communities in far-flung areas.

Likewise, the DSWD, in coordination with the offices of Iloilo Governor Arthur R. Defensor Jr. and Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go also released ₱500,000 worth of Livelihood Assistance Grant (LAG) to 50 beneficiaries of the municipality.

Identified by DSWD and municipal social workers, cash recipients were small-scale business owners, agricultural vendors, indigenous people, solo parents, senior citizens, and PWDs with each receiving P10,000 as additional capital for their existing enterprise affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“These seed money will inspire these communities to rise up and proactively fight poverty caused by the pandemic. The infusion of seed money is also seen to slowly perk up the local economy in Calinog,” Tanjusay said.

After the ceremonial payout, Tanjusay and program partners dialogued with Binolosan Grande Livelihood Association in Brgy. Binolosan Pequeño in Calinog. The members harvests locally-grown bananas which are then delivered and sold to nearby municipalities to augment household income.

Local officials and members also expressed their gratitude for the assistance received from the program which provided additional income for association members.

Present in the activity were representatives of the Office of Governor Arthur R. Defensor, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, local officials of the municipality, and technical staff of the Sustainable Livelihood Program.