Hundreds benefit from DSWD, RAFI partnership

An estimated 600 underprivileged mothers from all over Cebu benefited from a partnership between the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7 and the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. ( RAFI) in providing assistance to poor families under the sustainable livelihood program for DSWD disadvantaged clients.

As agreed, the selected beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the government became members of the RAFI Micro-finance program to give them an opportunity to have a business. They were made to undergo workshops, seminars, and other forms of interventions so they would be well- equipped when striking out on their own. RAFI’s assistance came in the form of affordable loans with very low interest as starting capital.

The intent of the agreement, which RAFI Micro- finance executive director Ma. Theresa G. Catipay, and DSWD- 7 Regional Director Mercedita P. Jabagat signed is to help the families of the beneficiaries contribute later on to the growth of the local economy as small entrepreneurs.

According to the National Statistical Board Coordination (NSBC), the number of Filipinos living below the poverty line has remained the same in the past six years.

The same NSBC data showed that a family of five earning P5,458 is considered to be living in “extreme poverty,” because it needs P7,821 to meet the most basic need for food, clothing and housing necessities every month.

The ever- increasing population, underemployment, and soaring prices of a number of commodities are cited as the main causes of poverty.

And because women number the most among society’s poor, RAFI Micro-finance’s agreement with DSWD is seen as a way for them to improve their lives.

“As such, giving livelihood programs will make a big dent in addressing the poverty problem,” said Ermina Abasolo, RAFI Microfinance deputy director for operations, during RAFI’s weekly radio program “Pagtuki.”