Vendors’ association boosts night market business with DSWD’s livelihood grant
By Niña Jonalyn B. Gambe-Diamante
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — The Butuan United Sustainable Livelihood Program Association (BUSLPA), composed of more than 30 food stall vendors, has expressed its gratitude to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) for granting financial assistance that strengthened their operations at the city’s night market.
Formed just a year ago, BUSLPA, formerly known as the Butuan Food Vendors Association, was established to unify and empower local food vendors, particularly those operating in public markets, streets, and night markets.
The group collaborates closely with the City Economic and Business Development Department of the Butuan local government unit (LGU) to ensure compliance with food safety regulations and to provide training in food handling, business management, and customer service.
On March 13, BUSLPA received P900,000.00 in livelihood assistance under the DSWD-SLP. The grant was used to procure essential project assets, including an inflatable playground, a generator set, and 3×3 tents. Additional purchases included rice supplies for members’ food stalls and electrical materials necessary for the playground’s operation. These investments not only boosted vendor capital but also enhanced amenities for night market patrons.
“On behalf of the BUSLPA, I would like to express my utmost gratitude to the DSWD-SLP for granting us this monetary assistance. This is a huge help, especially for our association and our member-vendors, by increasing our capital and generating more income,” said BUSLPA president Ronnie J. Mondejar.
BUSLPA has backed the LGU’s plans to establish a regular night market in Butuan City, aiming to provide a dedicated, organized, and vibrant venue for local food vendors to operate in the evening. This initiative responds to the growing demand for nighttime leisure activities while offering alternative livelihood opportunities for residents.
The association operates a variety of food stalls offering shakes, barbecue, fresh fruits, and other ready-to-eat meals, contributing to local economic activity and providing affordable food options to the community. Beyond food, the inclusion of recreational amenities, such as the inflatable playground, underscores BUSLPA’s vision of creating a family-friendly night market environment.
The project turnover ceremony took place on May 1, at the New Road, Barangay Limaha, Butuan City, marking the official launch and operationalization of the livelihood project. The event highlighted the partnership between BUSLPA, the LGU, and DSWD-SLP in advancing vendor welfare, safety, and business sustainability.
Beyond financial support, DSWD Caraga has also been instrumental in helping BUSLPA members market their products. The agency promotes the vendors’ offerings through its official social media platforms, giving them wider visibility and reach. Moreover, DSWD calls on its employees, families, and peers, encouraging them to patronize the stalls, further boosting sales and strengthening the association’s presence in the local economy.
This milestone underscores how government aid, when directed toward grassroots associations, can empower small businesses to flourish. By providing capital, training, marketing support, and essential resources, programs like the DSWD-SLP not only strengthen vendor livelihoods but also stimulate local economic activity, foster community resilience, and create inclusive opportunities for growth.
The success of BUSLPA at the Butuan night market serves as a testament to how sustained government support can transform modest enterprises into thriving contributors to the city’s development. (NJGD, PIA Caraga with a report from DSWD-SLP Caraga and BUSLPA)
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The
large-sized inflatable playground of the Butuan Sustainable Livelihood Program
Association (BUSLPA) at the Butuan City night market, not only generates more
income for the association but also offers a fun experience for children
strolling through the night market with their families.