Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro – More than 700 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries marched in the recently conducted graduation rights of SLP Livelihood Congress in this municipality, February 26, 2015.

The congress, titled “Sama-samang Linangin Pangkabuhayan Natin” is a week-long DSWD-led capacity building activity in convergence with the local government unit of Mansalay, Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Department of Education (DepEd) and Provincial Tourism, Investments and Enterprise Development Office (PTIEDO).

The Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of DSWD identified more than 700 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries in 17 barangays for skills enhancement on various fields including: Massage and Reflexology, Tour Guiding, Agricultural Practices, Tanglad Oil Extraction, Ube Pastillas making, Buri extraction, Cosmetology, Haircutting and Fish processing.

The congress, a lecture-cum-application training taught participants of techniques, procedures and skills on their chosen field of expertise. “This is the first time that the region had this kind of simultaneous  capacity building activities, and we will surely conduct the same for other municipalities,” said Domingo V. Agra, Regional Project Development Officer of DSWD-SLP.

In his speech, Mayor Joel Malinaw said that this event is a milestone for their municipality. “Natutuwa ako dahil malaking buti ang maidudulot nito para sa ating lahat, mas mapauunlad nito ang ating pamumuhay” he added. He also announced that the municipality is working a partnership with various stakeholders to assure that employment happens for the attending beneficiaries.

“We have gone through a long process of planning and preparation for this activity, and we are thankful that all concerned stakeholders have been supportive all along,” said Fe Dimaala, Provicial Project Development Officer.

Over Php1.5M was allocated for the said event to enable provision of starte kits for each participants. ###