By: Nelson P. Osial, Jr. (Region V)

Legazpi City- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) officially openened the Gubat Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps) Bigasan Association, last June 03, 2018 at Brgy. Gubat, Daet, Camarines Norte. The activity was graced and attended by Rev. Fr. Edgar Cerilo Eboña, program participants, and DSWD staff. A ribbon cutting ceremony marked the official opening of the business. The project was funded under SLP's Microenterprise Development-Seed Capital Fund (MD-SCF) with a total amount of Php 420,000.00. SCF is a capacity building grant given to eligible SLP participants to finance the initial operations of their enterprise/s. It provides the participants with financial capital to be able to establish and manage their sustainable microenterprise/s, which should provide a stable source of income.

Since their barangay has a big number of population and rice is one of the basic commodities, the Gubat 4P’s Bigasan Association decided to build their own business wherein its residents are forecasted to buy rice in the said store especially the 4P’s families receiving rice subsidy.

On the other hand, DSWD, Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU) , and Local Government Unit (LGU) assisted the participants in the registration, other pertinent licenses such as barangay, mayor’s and retailer permit necessary to officially and legally recognize the operations of the microenterprise. And, through the guidance of the DSWD, Gubat 4Ps Bigasan Association also received their certificate of accreditation as beneficiary Civil Society Organization.

Association President Maribel Rivero said, “Maraming salamat po sa staff ng SLP ng DSWD sa pagbibigay sa amin ng project na ito. Hindi pa rin kami makapaniwala sa biyayang ito na aming natanggap.” (Thank you for the staff of DSWD-SLP for giving us this project. Until now, we couldn’t believe to this grace that we have received.)

“Sisiguraduhin po naming na ito ay lalago at naway magkaroon pa kami ng ibang branch dito sa Daet. Napakalaking tulong nito sa amin at sa aming mga pamilya, gagawin po namin ang lahat para mapalago ang proyekto na ito.”, she added. (We will make sure that this project will prosper and we hope to open up other branches here in Daet. This is a big help for us and for our family and we will do everything for the success of this project).

“Sisiguraduhin po naming na ito ay lalago at naway magkaroon pa kami ng ibang branch dito sa Daet. Napakalaking tulong nito sa amin at sa aming mga pamilya, gagawin po namin ang lahat para mapalago ang proyekto na ito.”

SLP is a community-based capacity building program that aims to improve the socioeconomic condition of the participants. It facilitates interventions that expand the livelihood asset base of the participants (human, social, physical, natural, and financial capital) so they may either have gainful employment or successfully manage a microenterprise.