DSWD Grants Interest-Free Loan to 4Ps Beneficiaries in Valenzuela City

2014-06-17

IN THIS PHOTO:

.
.

Photo by: Mark Cayabyab

View Gallery

IN THIS PHOTO:

.
.

Photo by: Mark Cayabyab

View Gallery

IN THIS PHOTO:

.
.

Photo by: Mark Cayabyab

View Gallery

IN THIS PHOTO:

.
.

Photo by: Mark Cayabyab

View Gallery

IN THIS PHOTO:

.
.

Photo by: Mark Cayabyab

View Gallery

Caption

Tags: SEA-K , financial assistance , urban poor ,

The Department of Social Welfare and Development Office – NCR (DSWD-NCR) recently granted interest-free capital assistance to selected beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Valenzuela City, to extend aid to marginalized families who are willing to engage in microenterprise to have self-sustaining source of livelihood.

Approving interest-free loans to identified individuals of local government units (LGUs) is part of DSWD’s Self Employment Assistance – Kaunlaran (SEA-K) Integrated Program, a capability building program which aims to enhance the socio-economic skills of poor families through organization of community-based associations for entrepreneurial development.

On June 11, the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) presented the 205 beneficiaries who are members of 10 newly formed SEA-K associations from barangays Bignay, Gen. T. de Leon, and Veinte Reales. They were granted capital assistance in the sum of Php 1,401,200.

In a speech, Mayor REX Gatchalian mentioned that he is thankful to DSWD-NCR for choosing Valenzuela City to be the LGU-grantee of the funding.

Shirley D. Lumansoc, a seller of frozen goods in Barangay Gen. T. de Leon, said that this capital assistance program opened her opportunity to start a business of her own. She shared, “Dati nakikitinda-tinda lang ako sa ate ko na may pwesto sa palengke. Ngayon pwede na akong maglako ng hotdog, longganisa, o skinless longganisa ng may sariling kapital” (I used to work for my older sister who owns a stall in the market. Now, I can sell frozen goods using my own capital).

Lumansoc is only obliged to pay Php 170 per week for the Php 5000 seed capital lent to her, payable in one year. She said she also plans set aside Php 50 for her savings.

The 10 new SEA-K associations formed by CSWDO in Valenzuela City are (a) Charity Pantawid SEA-K Association, (b) Samahang Kababaihang SEA-K Association, (c) Mapagkalinga SEA-K Association, (d) Aero Girl SEA-K Association, (e) Proyektong Pangkabuhayan SEA-K Association, (f) Banana Gen. T. de Leon SEA-K, (g) Grapes Gen. T. de Leon SEA-K, (h) Guyabano Gen. T. de Leon SEA-K, (i) Orange Gen. T. de Leon SEA-K, and (j) RMS Gen. T. de Leon SEA-K.

Mayor REX challenged the beneficiaries to do their part to make the program successful. He said in Filipino, “This is a commendable program that is giving everyone the chance to earn more and become productive. I hope all of you will work together so that we can show the national government that we are worthy of their assistance and trust.”

This is the second leg of the SEA-K capital assistance program in Valenzuela City. The first one was held during the 10^th Convergence Caravan of DSWD held at the Valenzuela City Astrodome on April 4.