THE local government unit of San Fernando, through the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWD), is set to create more livelihood programs to help households adversely affected by the community quarantines in the city.

Under the localized Livelihood Assistance Grant (LAG) projects, CSWD targets to assist 400 small-scale informal businesses in 22 different villages for their immediate rehabilitation and recovery.

Since the launch of the localized LAG, 274 beneficiaries from 20 barangays were able to put up businesses such as bread-and-pastry making, sari-sari stores, talipapa (flea market), frozen goods, animal feeds and medicine supplies, street food, food manufacturing, carinderia (canteen), beauty salon, and household cleaning products.

Aileen Villanueva, CSWD chief, believed these livelihood programs will help stimulate the local economy through the recovery and re-establishment of informal businesses and services.

CSWD also offers community livelihood training and seminars to beneficiaries to equip them with the necessary tools to grow their businesses.

CSWD has started processing LAG applications and, on May 25, will award grants to the first five groups of LAG beneficiaries using its own Social Livelihood Program and Gender and Development funds.

Fernandinos interested to apply for the livelihood assistance grants of the City may write a letter of intent addressed to CSWD. The office also accepts walk-in applicants. (PR)