A TOTAL of 18,547 women in Central Visayas received seed capital fund through referrals and the Livelihood Assistance Grant (LAG) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7 in 2020.

Riza Patindol, Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) regional project coordinator, said majority or some 9,963 of the women beneficiaries came from Cebu, followed by Negros Oriental at 5,051; Bohol-2,774, and Siquijor at 759.

As of 2020, a total fund of P151,797,075.40 was disbursed to the beneficiaries of the program in 2020.

"The beneficiary should come from our emergency subsidy program (Social Amelioration Program) nga naa sa atong data base. They are low income, informal sector and their livelihood is affected by the pandemic," she said.

Patindol said benefeciaries were endorsed by their respective local government units (LGUs) to prove that these individuals have really met the criteria.

Among the beneficiaries was Valentina Razola, a member of the Barangay Biga Women Workers Association of in Toledo City and whose construction worker husband lost job amid the pandemic, has been engaged to egg-laying business funded by the SLP.

"When I became an association's member, it gave me a chance to earn on my own and to provide for the needs of my family," she said.

The SLP prioritizes the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps) members, those who belong to the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized sectors, and those who have the capacity and interest to avail of the livelihood program. (WBS)