DSWD intensifies monitoring of livelihood programs implemented in Caraga Region

By Robert E. Roperos

Wednesday 30th of May 2012

BUTUAN CITY, May 30 (PIA) -– The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has intensified its monitoring of all the programs implemented in Caraga region particularly the livelihood assistance programs.

Citing the need to monitor the status of the programs implemented, DSWD-Caraga Livelihood Unit Chief Roy Serdeña said the social welfare department does not only concern with the distribution of livelihood assistance to qualified beneficiaries, it should also monitor the status of how the beneficiaries used the amount granted to them.

The official explained that beneficiaries of the Self Employment Assistance – Kaunlaran (SEA-K) are among those who were monitored to ensure that the livelihood assistance granted to them will be used in its purpose.

The SEA-K is a capability building program of the DSWD and local government units which aims to enhance the socio-economic skills of poor families through the organization of community-based associations for entrepreneurial development.

In Caraga region, beneficiaries from the provinces of the region have already received livelihood assistance from this program.

Late last year, seven SEA-K associations from the three municipalities in Agusan del Sur received a total of P945,000 to support their livelihood programs. The funds, according to DSWD-Caraga Regional Director Mercedita Jabagat, financed mostly the women’s livelihood program to help improve their family income.

Meanwhile, on February 1, 2012, a total of eight organizations, composed of 165 beneficiaries from Lingig town in Surigao del Sur received livelihood assistance amounting to some P1.6 million.

According to Jerrybelle Gonzales, DSWD-Caraga Project Development Officer Regional Director Mercedita Jabagat personally handed over the check to the beneficiaries who are also the recipients of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) or the 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) under the first phase of implementation that will set to end in 2013.

Also, on February 16, 2012, the social welfare department awarde some P2.9 million check to beneficiaries in the three towns of Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte. Serdeña said some 16 organizations from Dapa, del Carmen, and Pilar towns in Siargao Island benefited from this financial assistance, composed of some 325 members. (RER – PIA-Caraga)