The Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Caraga Region (DSWD-13) rolled out a package of social protection and livelihood assistance in Barangay Taod-oy, Magallanes on Monday, as part of the nationwide “Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat.”

DSWD-13 turned over a certificate to the provincial government, led by Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante, confirming the provision of 916 feeding utensils for children beneficiaries of the Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) in two municipalities.

“The SFP augments food support for children enrolled in child development centers, promoting nutrition and well-being,” DSWD-13 said in a statement on Monday.

The agency also facilitated the ceremonial turnover of PHP23.2 million in livelihood grants to seven Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) Associations in Agusan del Norte.

“The grants aim to strengthen community enterprises and expand income opportunities for beneficiaries,” DSWD-13 said.

In addition, the second batch of payouts worth at least PHP1.3 million was facilitated for 657 beneficiaries under the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) program.

In Dinagat Islands, PHP900,000 worth of livelihood assistance was released to qualified SLP associations, PHP581,600 worth of feeding utensils for SFP, and PHP2,000 UPLIFT cash each for 513 residents.

In Surigao City, 1,533 beneficiaries received PHP2,000 cash aid each under the UPLIFT program, while in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur, there were 1,809 beneficiaries.

In total, DSWD-13 released over PHP6.1 million in livelihood assistance to qualified SLP associations across the province and more than PHP1.2 million worth of feeding utensils for the SFP.

“The delivery of these interventions underscores the government’s continuing effort to bring services closer to communities and ensure that social protection programs respond directly to local needs,” DSWD-13 said. (PNA)