DSWD”s livelihood program serves over 3.3 million since 2011

Over 3.3 million beneficiaries have been assisted by the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) since its implementation in 2011. 

“(A total of) 3,391,065 beneficiaries served amounting to P44,976,421,621.00 since 2011 up to 2023,” Assistant Secretary Romel Lopez told GMA News Online via text message. 

“Walang remaining kasi nau-utilize natin. Ngayong 2024 nagsstart na ulit yung 7.6 billion ang budget with Physical Target of 300K+ beneficiaries,” he added. 

In a press conference on Thursday, DSWD Assistant Secretary for Specialized Programs under the Operations Group Florentino Loyola Jr. said the SLP is on the right track in helping families and individuals affected by economic shock. 

It also provides opportunities to those who want to be employed and to establish their entrepreneurial projects. 

Aside from the regular program, the SLP also responded to different incidents in the country, such as the Marawi Siege, Boracay closure, and the imposition of rice price caps in 2023.

The SLP is being implemented through a two-track program. 

First is the Microenterprise Development Track (MDT), which supports micro-enterprises in becoming organizationally and economically viable. Beneficiaries must be at least 16 years old. 

Qualified individuals are given P15,000 each as capital assistance, but those who are members of an association are given P20,000 each.

The second track is the Employment Facilitation Track (EFT), which assists participants in accessing appropriate employment opportunities. Beneficiaries must be at least 18 years old. 

First-time job seekers are given P5,000, which they can use to prepare their requirements and cover transportation and other expenses. 

Interested applicants may approach the city or municipal coordinators in their localities on how to go about the application process for SLP. 

Loyola further explained that to be part of the SLP, the applicant must be in the “Listahanan database” or a 4Ps beneficiary. 

“Kung wala kayo sa dalawang nabanggit subalit kayo ay mahirap, ang SLP ang magsasagawa ng “means test” o ang mag-check sa inyong katayuan kung kayo ay qualified,” he said.

(If you do not belong to any of the two but are poor, the SLP will conduct the ‘means test’ to check if you are qualified.) —LDF, GMA Integrated News