A partnership has been forged between the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the city government of Naga and with the Central Bicol State University (CBSUA) for Sustainable Livelihood Program last July 20, 2015.

The program aims to improve the socio-capacities of the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries by facilitating their access to micro-enterprise development and employment opportunities. This will be done through the conduct of training project in partnership with City Local Government of Naga and CBSUA respectively.

“We want to provide a sustainable intervention to improve the well being of Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries by empowering the disadvantaged individuals through skills training assistance and entrepreneurial activities towards gainful employment, “DSWD Regional Director Arnel Garcia shared.

On the other hand, Naga City Mayor John Bongat expressed his gratitude to the DSWD for the initial grant of 8.7 million. This will benefit about 498 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries from Naga City with seven skills training to be conducted. “This program will translate to have more productive young people” Mayor Bongat said.

CBSUA will also receive a grant of P 2 million with 162 students; all are Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries to undergo three vocational skills straining to be offered.

To ensure the sustainability of the project, Director Garcia said that the DSWD will provide livelihood kit to start the livelihood activity which the beneficiaries will engage in.

Likewise, several schools in the Bicol Region like the Bicol University and the Partido State University have also entered Memorandum of Understanding with the DSWD for the same project.###eejerusalem