Russel Ulysses I. Nieves, Provincial Field Officer DOLE-Catanduanes, sharing his testimony on the partnership with DSWD.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) -Catanduanes was awarded as the Outstanding Regional Partner in the implementation of DSWD-Sustainable Livelihood Program projects last June 19, 2019 at Sequoia Hotel, Quezon City.
The recognition of DSWD’s notable partner “Sibol Kaagapay” are partners who have walked the extra mile in the provision of support and have shared valuable resources in the spirit of partnership and convergence toward microenterprise development and employment facilitation of program participants.
Sulong Bayanihan 2019 is the main celebration of SLP’s milestones in terms of promoting and facilitating the continuous development and strengthening of efforts to solidify the convergence of families and communities towards identification and building-up of program champions and advocates.
“The key to nation’s development and success, is convergence.”, Russel Ulysses I. Nieves said.
The convergence training initiative by the stakeholders was able to complete two batches of trainings on Heavy Equipment Operations (HEOs) with a total of 147 beneficiaries. All of the graduates are now gainfully employed in the construction industry.
Additionally, three Sustainable Livelihood Program Associations (SLPA’s) with 108 participants benefited from the engagement of SLP and the partner. Rizal Vegetable Growers Association received farm inputs/ tools for vegetable production. The 25 members of the SLPA are now engaged in vegetable farming and continuously supplying naturally-grown vegetables in the locality. Likewise, two SLP associations namely Dororian Fisherman SPLA in Gigmoto and Bugao Fishermen SLP Association in Bagamanoc received (fiber glass) fishing boats from the partner for sustainable fishing enterprise.
The partnership provides and establish network and linkages for the sustainability of DSWD-SLP projects.
Furthermore, the partnership was able to address five major impacts:
- Skills Development –provided life training skills to 29 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries;
- Job Generation – all of the training beneficiaries were employed by members of the construction industry association.
Some were able to work abroad as legitimate/licensed Heavy Equipment Operators.
- Poverty Alleviation – the income of the families of the beneficiaries were enhanced.
- Able to support the high demand for HEOs by construction industry that significantly complemented the “Build-Build-Build” flagship program of the present administration.
- Beneficiaries were provided with licenses (Driver’s License – Restriction Code 2 and NC II) and Social Protection to include SSS,Pag-Ibig and Philhealth.
The continuous partnership provides and establish network and linkages for the sustainability of DSWD-SLP projects.