Kapalong, Davao del Norte – In an effort to prepare women-beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program for micro-enterprise endeavors, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), is facilitating vocational and technical enhancement skills training for them.
In this town, 31 Pantawid Pamilya women recently completed Cookery National Certificate II conducted by Endonela Institute of Technology Foundation, Inc. (EITFI).
With this timely opportunity, participants are now equipped with the ability and the confidence to earn as they cook.
With Dante Cadayona as cooking coach, the 345-hour training aimed at generating employment and income for the participants, as well as mobilizing them to engage in micro-enterprise through carinderia management and catering services.
One-fourth of the training cost was sponsored by the partner school while the remaining amount came as a scholarship grant from DSWD.
“Kaya namin ang pagbabago dahil sa tiwala at pagkakataon na ibinibigay ng gobyerno sa amin. Salamat sa DSWD (We can change for the better because of the trust and the opportunity given us to learn and improve our lot. Thanks to DSWD),” the new graduates bellowed in unison.
This is the 3rd batch of Pantawid Pamilya recipients who trained with EITFI.
Earlier, DSWD also facilitated the same training for 77 Pantawid Pamilya family heads who are also typhoon survivors in Montevista and Compostela towns in Compostela Valley.
After a home visit to these beneficiaries, social workers noted that some are already starting to accept food orders from neighbors and friends for special events.
One mother even said that she is now able to augment the family income without having to leave their home for a longer period by selling home-cooked food.
“’Di ko na rin iniisip ang pang-araw-araw na pagkain ng aming pamilya, dahil nakakapagtabi ako mula sa itinitinda kong ulam (Our meals are now taken care of since what I cook for selling, I can stash a portion for us),” Aling Imelda said.
DSWD and EITFI will continue assisting disaster victims and other disadvantaged individuals by providing access to quality education and training for non-degree course appropriate to their individual capacities and relevant to the immediate needs of their communities.
Pantawid Pamilya provides cash grants to poor households with children 0-18 years old provided they comply with the conditions of the program such as sending their children to school, bringing them to health centers for check up, and attending the Family Development Sessions.
SLP, on the other hand, aims to capacitate and develop the entrepreneurial and socio-economic skills of poor households through income-generating opportunities, enhancing their access to basic social services, and employment. ###
