TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The sustainable livelihood program (SLP) has its dimensions or indicators of program success. Based on key informant interviews, majority of those served by the program have expressed positive results from the SLP intervention particularly when it comes to the skills training.
There is a felt improvement in the standard of living experienced from additional household income, business expansion and a stable source of employment.
Other dimensions of success include increased motivation to be productive; better links to employment or that the program provided a form of social protection.
Tabuk City has been granted livelihood projects aiming to provide source of income to unemployed individuals.
A total of 54 livelihood projects were awarded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)- CAR for various organized associations in the city.
These projects were funded under the SLP-Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (SLP-PAMANA) since 2022 and regular SLP since 2024.
There are 36 SLP-PAMANA projects awarded to conflict-vulnerable areas like Amlao, Bulo, Dilag, Gobgob, Ipil, Lacnog, Lucog, San Juan, Calaccad, Guilayon, Calanan, New Tanglag, Magnao and Nambucayan for the retail sale of rice, LPG, fuel, and ombak operation, poultry egg production, ice cream and chicken vending, piso wifi, talipapa and live fish retailing, according to Aurelia Auwing, the project development officer.
On the other hand, the DSWD has also granted 18 projects for Tabuk in 2024 through the regular SLP. These projects are mostly hollow blocks production, retail sale of fuel, rice, LPG and beverages, as stated by Jonaliza Batugal of DSWD.
At the start of 2025, the agency has already funded six livelihood projects for qualified associations, and 11 projects waiting for approval by the Regional Office, according to Batugal.
Batugal said positive net income is the sole indicator that declares successful business operation. From their records, all the 54 SLP-funded projects are earning based on their quarterly monitoring and assessment of submitted liquidation reports.
The City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) does not deny that in the last years, there were associations whose business failed because of mismanagement. To avoid this from happening again, the office recommends inter-agency collaboration to enhance competitiveness of SLPA microenterprises, and more trainings to be conducted.
It is worthy to note that SLP gives the unemployed the opportunity to earn and learn skills, and it is the obligation of each member to make their business grow and expand. By Darwin S. Serion
