The PHP24.8 million fund under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) released to Antique this year has benefitted 1,767 Antiqueños.

DSWD Regional Project Management officer-in-charge Juliet D.Besa, in a media forum at the Kinaray-a Hotel in San Jose de Buenavista on Wednesday, said of the total amount, PHP12.315 million went to the regular SLP, PHP7.413 million as livelihood settlement grant for families affected by the oil spill caused by M/T Princess Empress, and PHP5.08 million for economic relief subsidy.

“There were 821 individuals who are beneficiaries of the SLP regular program, 607 families that are beneficiaries of the livelihood settlement grants, and 339 rice traders who received the economic relief subsidy,” she said.

The DSWD National Household Targeting System (NHTS) identified beneficiaries of the regular program as indigents needing assistance.

In a follow-up interview, SLP Antique provincial team leader Noli Valenzuela said beneficiaries of their regular program received PHP15,000 each for their identified livelihood projects, such as community stores and cattle-raising.

“For the livelihood settlement grant, these were families needing assistance to restart or rehabilitate their livelihood affected by the oil spill in the island Municipality of Caluya,” he said.

Valenzuela added that the economic relief subsidy targeted small rice traders affected by the rice ceiling and freezing of rice prices in the country implemented under Executive Order Number 39 on Aug. 31, 2023.

Meanwhile, DSWD Regional Director Carmelo Nochete said he hopes the beneficiaries of the SLP would take care of their grant. (PNA)