IRENE SINO-CRUZ
The beneficiaries of the over P40.6-million assistance given by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Region 7 have to learn how to handle their finances for sustainability.
This is the message of the DSWD-7 OIC-Regional Director Shalaine Marie Lucero to the 2,708 beneficiaries who received the Livelihood Settlement Grant (LSG) under the Sustainable Livelihood Program.
The 3-day simultaneous payout covered the 2 cities and 11 municipalities in Cebu: Toledo City, Carcar City, Liloan, Minglanilla, Naga, San Fernando, Carcar, Argao, and Alegria, Aloguinsan, Barili, Dumanjug, Pinamungajan, Barili, and Sibonga.
During the 3-day payout, OIC-Regional Director Shalaine Marie Lucero reached out to the beneficiaries and challenged them to have the determination and discipline to run the business. She motivatedย them to start saving from their income and to involve the whole family in sustaining their enterprise.
The Livelihood Settlement Grant (LSG) is the program’s response to those livelihoods affected by the typhoon Odette that hit the region in December 2021.
OIC-RD Lucero hands over the Livelihood Settlement Grant to the beneficiaries in Pinamungajan, Cebu.
Rufino Ansit, a beneficiary from Toledo City, said that they were badly affected by typhoon Odette. He added that they had to use his capital for his familyโs daily need.
โThe P15,000 assistance is a huge help for my family. I am thankful to DSWD for this grant because, with this, I will be able to open my small enterprise again,” Ansit said in Cebuano.
Another beneficiary, Susan S. Sasan from Pinamungajan, said that RD Luceroโs words inspired her. “Tinuood gyud to mam, kinahanglan naa gyud tay savings, makatabang gyud kini panahon sa krisis (Yes, it is true, we should save, because it helps in times of crisis),โ she noted.
The beneficiaries will be monitored closely by the SLP monitoring officer after three (3) months from receipt of grants.
RD Lucero hopes that the beneficiaries will value the help provided by the government to uplift their families lives and have a sustainable livelihood.
