Sustainable livelihood program associations (SLPAs) in six local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental received PHP12.925 million in seed capital funds (SCFs) from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to strengthen their community-based enterprises.

In a report on Friday, DSWD-NIR said that under the SLP, they recently turned over a total of PHP4.1 million in SCFs to seven associations in Ilog town.

“The assistance aims to strengthen community-based enterprises, promote local economic development, and enhance the income-generating capacities of organized associations in the municipality,” it said.

The recipients include the OFW Small Vendors Association, which operates a meat shop and egg retailing; Calubang Workers Association, agri-supply trading; Sitio San Ramon Vendors Association, variety store; Balicotoc Small Farmers Association, farm inputs and farm machinery rental services; Camalarang Farmers and Laborers Association, and San Jose Villa Farmers Association, both for general merchandise, which received PHP600,000.

Tabu Farmers and Vendors Association, which also operates a general merchandise, got PHP500,000.

In La Castellana town, 13 SLPAs received a total of PHP5.385 million in SCFs.

The Child Development Workers Association obtained PHP600,000 for its water refilling station project.

Given PHP450,000 each are the Cabacungan Integrated Baji-Baji Farmers Association, Cambugnay Farmworkers Association, Salta Ka-Bacung Farmers and Laborers Association, and Tinagong Paraiso Lalagsan Farmers Association for agricultural supply projects; and Cabacungan Integrated Farmworkers Association, Talaptap Erpat Association, and Manghanoy Ugyon Mamumugon Association, variety store project; and Puso Laborers and Entrepreneurs Association, general merchandise.

Those given PHP400,000 each are La Castellana United Electricians Association and La Castellana Tent Makers Pastors Association, both for general merchandise projects; and Mansalanao Upland Farmworkers Association, agricultural supply project.

The Star Ka Farmworkers Association received PHP100,000 as product diversification and development grant.

A total of PHP3.44 million in SCFs were also turned over to various associations in four more LGUs.

These are Cadiz City, which received PHP1.3 million; Murcia, PH980,000; San Carlos City, PHP600,000; and Talisay City, PHP560,000.

“The assistance aims to strengthen community-based enterprises, promote local economic development, and enhance the income-generating capacities of organized associations across the municipality,” DSWD-NIR said.

The SCF is a grant used by program participants as start-up capital to purchase raw materials, tools, and equipment needed to start or expand their small businesses.

This initiative aligns with the DSWD’s mission to help poor and vulnerable households improve their socio-economic conditions by providing access to essential assets for sustainable livelihoods. (PNA)