CEBU CITY RESIDENTS GET P2M LIVELIHOOD AID

Assistance reached some 230 individuals who were endorsed by LGUs, NGOs and civil society groups. Beneficiaries were from Barangay Mambaling, who complied with the requirements. DSWD 7 targets to cater to a total of 62,155 participants in Cebu City’s 80

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) released P2.3 million in livelihood assistance to Cebu City residents in the first quarter of 2018, with 230 individuals benefiting from it.

DSWD public information officer Leah Quintana said that the seed capital assistance from the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) was released last Feb. 19.

The SLP is a program of the National Government and caters to beneficiaries referred not only by the local government units but also by civil society organizations and non-government organizations.

All the proposals for livelihood projects are queued for assessment and validation.

DSWD 7 clarified that while they targeted to cater to 62,155 participants in 80 barangays in Cebu City, only 3,741 project proposals were submitted by the Department of Social Welfare Services (DSWS).

Of the 3,741, the 3,553 proposals are still being validated and assessed, that is why they cannot release the other funds yet.

So far, only P2.3 million was released to SLP beneficiaries in Barangay Mambaling following the approval of their proposals and after having complied with the accreditation requirements.

According to DSWD 7, the guidelines in the implementation of all its programs have to be followed before any fund is released, including the SLP.

Also, the SLP grants are not automatically given to those referred by local officials.

During program orientations, the DSWD 7 emphasized that referrals and applications for SLP and other DSWD programs are subject to assessment and validation in accordance with existing guidelines.

“All referrals and applications are treated equally and assessed objectively. Applicable guidelines and validation processes are strictly observed,” reads the DSWD 7 statement. /

PHOTO BY AMPER CAMPAÑA WELL DONE! Cebu City Councilor Joy Young (left) poses with the family of Leo Paolo Ballaso (2nd from left), one of the 29th Don Sergio Osmeña Sr. Academic Excellence awardees.