The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol (DSWD-5) awarded livelihood grants to seven eligible associations in Camarines Sur province through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).

A total of PHP1.67 million in startup capital to support the establishment of various micro-enterprises within the SLP associations have been turned over to 120 program participants since December 2024, the DSWD said in a news release posted Monday.

In Del Gallego, Camarines Sur, three associations received seed capital for projects related to vegetable farming, broiler production, and rice retailing and wholesaling; in San Fernando, two associations located in conflict-vulnerable areas were granted startup funds for a goat production project and a broiler chicken food processing project; and in Pili town, a rice retailing and wholesaling project and a poultry production project were funded as part of the Zero Hunger Program.

The SLP is a capability-building initiative to empower individuals experiencing poverty by providing them with appropriate assistance to enhance their livelihoods.

The release of grants is a part of a multi-stage process that not only guides program participants toward the success of their business ventures, but also ensures that they are able to build and maintain resilient, thriving, and sustainable livelihoods even beyond the program’s support. (PNA)