DSWD conducts livelihood dialogue in Agusan Sur
By Kelvin Kennt R. Generalo
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur (PIA) – Program partners representing various academic institutions, private sector, local government units (LGUs), non-government organizations (NGOs), and national government agencies (NGAs) committed to delivering a wide range of strategic and meaningful interventions during the livelihood consultative dialogue dubbed “Pag-aaral at Agapay para sa Unlad na Sekundaryang Benepisyaryo Oriented sa Negosyo at Gawaing-Pangkabuhayan (PAg-USBONG),,” organized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga on May 8 in Barangay Patin-ay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.
Spearheaded by DSWD Caraga’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) Promotive Services Division, the event was attended by SLP Regional Partnership Officer Antonio Semporios Jr., Provincial Partnership Officer Francis Mark A. Pacatang, representatives from various partners in provincial and national agencies and other key stakeholders. The gathering served to strengthen inter-agency collaboration and support for livelihood initiatives aimed at uplifting vulnerable communities across the province.
“This dialogue is a crucial step in expanding opportunities for our participants, leading to sustainable income, economic empowerment, and improved quality of life,” said Antonio Semporios Jr., SLP Caraga regional partnership officer.
The activity also provided a platform for stakeholders to align their agency specialties. Among these were the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Agusan del Sur and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Agusan del Sur, which pledged their commitment to provide support in areas such as packaging and product display techniques, product selection, and supplier linkage to build the capacities of SLP associations.
Participating agencies, including the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), also committed to amplifying the DSWD-SLP’s mission by increasing public awareness of livelihood programs. They pledged to post updates and success stories of SLP associations across various social media platforms.
“Through our partners like the PIA – Government Information Center in Agusan del Sur, we will be able to effectively disseminate information to the public. This will help raise awareness that the DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) is not only for 4Ps beneficiaries but also supports other individuals and families in achieving sustainable livelihoods,” added Semporios.
Project PAg-USBONG targets secondary beneficiaries—individuals and families not covered by the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) – by equipping them with skills, resources, and tools to initiate or enhance their livelihood activities.
The event concluded with firm commitments from various agencies to provide training and resource speakers for capacity building in four key areas: financial management, marketing, organizational and management development, and technical production. These efforts aim to foster inclusive and sustainable livelihood programs that will uplift the lives of Agsurnon SLP associations, particularly those from marginalized sectors. (KKRG, PIA Agusan del Sur)
