DSWD taps 5 firms for livelihood program

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has partnered with five private firms for the implementation of sustainable livelihood programs for the beneficiaries of the government’s conditional cash transfer program.

DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman signed recently a memorandum of understanding for sustainable livelihood with Globe Telecom Inc., International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Foundation, May Ginhawa at Gawa-Action to Serve (MGA GAWA-ACTS), Ang-Hortaleza Foundation (formerly known as Splash Foundation), and Micro Ventures Foundation-Hapinoy.

“These partnerships aim to support the provision of livelihood and employment opportunities to beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, the country’s conditional cash transfer program,” the DSWD said in a statement.

DSWD’s partnership with the five organizations will support the implementation of the Sustainable Livelihood Program, which is a capacity building initiative that focuses on asset enhancement, financial literacy, business development, market linkage and job referrals.

“The goal is to help the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries sustain the socio-economic benefits that they have gained from the CCT program. Part of the transition strategy for beneficiaries is to capacitate and train them to establish their own micro-enterprises and access job opportunities so they will continue to have a sustainable source of income even after the program,” the DSWD said.

Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries receive cash grants of as much as P1,400 per month for five years.

Under the partnership, Soliman said Globe will provide enterprise development trainings to the CCT beneficiaries through its “i-PROSPER project” under the Globe Bridging Communities.

It will also connect their products to the market through the Globe business centers, Globe website and employee on-line store, she said.

On the other hand, ICTSI Foundation will provide livelihood skills training for beneficiaries in Parola, Isla Puting Bato and Brgy. 20 in Tondo, Manila through its Kaalaman Kabuhayan sa Pantalan Project (KKKP). ICTSI Foundation also committed to endorse the CCT beneficiaries to its contractors and business partners for possible employment.

Scholarships for qualified high school students and life skills seminars for the scholars and their parents will also be supported by ICTSI Foundation, Soliman said.

She said this partnership will eventually expand to Batangas, Zambales, Gen. Santos City, Davao City and Misamis Oriental.

Meanwhile, MGA GAWA-ACTS Foundation will support the beneficiaries in micro-enterprise and product development as well as ensure that ready markets are available for the products and services offered by beneficiaries.

“The foundation pledged to mentor the beneficiaries throughout the entire business cycle from the identification of micro-enterprises to the marketing,” said Soliman.

The Ang-Hortaleza Splash Foundation will hold the “Ganda Mo, Hanapbuhay Ko,” cosmetology skills training program for 25 beneficiaries in Brgy. San Roque, Navotas. The foundation will also provide start-up business materials for the trainees so they may immediately apply what they learned.

The Micro Ventures Foundation, through its “Hapinoy” program will provide business development services to Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries with existing sari-sari stores by providing leadership and business skills trainings, and direct product access to wholesalers. This intervention will make the sari-sari stores profitable and sustainable. MVF will initially train some 150 store owners in Quezon province.

Soliman said the first set of beneficiaries who will graduate from the program in 2013 will avail of the sustainable livelihood program. –Helen M. Flores (The Philippine Star)