San Fernando LGU to give vulnerable groups more livelihood assistance

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO---The local government of San Fernando, thru the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWD), is set to create more livelihood programs to help households adverselyaffected by the community quarantines in the city.

Under the localized Livelihood Assistance Grant (LAG) projects, CSWD targets to assist 400 smallscale informal businesses in 22 different villages for their immediate rehabilitation and recovery.

“Sa pagpapatupad ng gobyerno ng community quarantine rules and regulations, higit na naaapektuhan ang mga maralitang pamilya at indibidwal na ang ikinabubuhay ay galing sa pang araw-araw na kita, lalo pa kung ang mga ito ay nabibilang sa vulnerable sector gaya ng PWD, solo parents, at iba pa,” explained Aileen Villanueva, CSWD chief.

Since the launch of the localized LAG, 274 beneficiaries from 20 barangays were able to put up businesses such as bread-and-pastry making, sarisari stores, talipapa (flea market), frozen goods, animal feeds and medicine supplies, street food,

food manufacturing, carinderia (canteen), beauty salon, and household cleaning products.

Villanueva believes these livelihood programs will help stimulate the local economy through the recovery and re-establishment of informal businesses and services.

“Ang livelihood programs ay parte ng siyudad para sa social recovery. Tinutulungan natin ang pamilyang nasa crisis situation dahil hindi sapat ang pagkukunan para sa pang araw-araw na subsistence needs,” she said.

CSWD also offers community livelihood training and seminars to beneficiaries to equip them with the necessary tools to grow their businesses.

CSWD has started processing LAG applications and, on May 25, will award grants to the first five groups of LAG beneficiaries using its own Social Livelihood Program (SLP) and Gender and Development (GAD) funds.

Fernandinos interested to apply for the livelihood assistance grants of the City may write a letter of intent addressed to CSWD. The office also accepts walk-in applicants. (City of San Fernando Information Office)