Marabut, Western Samar, July 28, 2014 — Forty six Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries of this town were recently extended a loan of P10, 000.00 each as seed capital for whatever business intend to pursue.

DSWD Project Development Officer (PDO) Benjie Pelen reported that, “to improve the socio-economic status of poor households, the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) employs the Community-Driven Enterprise Development (CDED) approach whereby communities venture into resource-based and market-driven enterprise. Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino beneficiaries are priority participants.”

The said participants opted for the Micro-enterprise Development track which enabled them to avail of seed capital assistance from the DSWD, through the Self-Employment Assistance Kaunlaran (SEA-K) modality. ”After five years or less of being in the conditional cash transfer (CCT) program of Pantawid Pamilya, these beneficiaries, were encouraged to put up a business that they could nurture and grow.

PDO Pelen further explained that before these beneficiaries were given the seed capital, they underwent a month of social preparation whereby they were taught what to do and how to reach their goals. “There is some mind setting that’s being developed here, awareness raising of one’s present status and where one would like to be/go a few years from now,” Pelen disclosed.

After social preparation comes capability building which shows these beneficiaries what their present capabilities are, whether they are for business or employment, among others.

Resource mobilization comes next whereby beneficiaries are extended P10k payable in 24 months with 0% interest. Beneficiaries are also taught to save and are empowered to go to the bank to do deposits and withdrawals. PDO Pelen bared that the P10k loan was insured at Sun Grepalife so that whatever happens to these beneficiaries within the duration of the loan, the insurance company will be there to take care of the family of the insured.

Arlen Osena, a parent leader from the Pantawid San Isidro SEA-K Association has been receiving CCT for more than four years. She’s a daycare worker, while her husband is a farmer. They have five kids. Arlene told how a part of the roof of their house was blown away during ST Yolanda, but, full of positivity that she is, she is excited about getting the loan for her gasoline retailing or piggery business.

Arlene says, “Hadto nga waray pa CCT, naniningkamot nala kami.   Haros waray nagpapautang. Yana, mayda na kami ginlala-uman.” (Before, when we weren’t receiving CCT, we just worked hard and did our best. Now, we already have something to wait and hope for.)

Gemma Gravillo (of Pantawid Kabuhayan SEA-K Association), a 48-year old mom with eight kids, says she would like to use the P10,000.00 loan as additional capital for her existing sari-sari store. Meanwhile, Merly Makadado and Rosita Vinas, 51 and 52 years of age respectively (both of Pantawid Mabuhay SEA-K Association), say that they would like to start raising pigs with their seed capital.

Marabut Mayor Atty. Percival Ortillo was present during the awarding. He thanked DSWD for the loan extended and advised the recipients to use their capital well for their businesses so that these may flourish. The beneficiaries, mostly stay-at-home mothers, were composed of three associations with 15 members each: Pantawid San Isidro SEA-K Association, Pantawid Mabuhay SEA-K Association and Pantawid Kabuhayan SEA-K Association.

The 15-member of each of the three SEA-K association are to pay P100 to Land Bank and P50 for their monthly savings. Payment will start in September 2014 since there is a one month grace period. ###