Bago named PH’s model city for sustainable livelihood program

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its annual Panata ko sa Bayan Awards, has named Bago City as the country’s model local government unit (LGU) in terms of implementing outstanding sustainable livelihood program for employment facilitation this year.

The award dubbed “Gawad Paglilingkod sa Sambayanan” was received by Ma. Elena Millevo, city social welfare and development (CSWD) officer, in rites held at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City on March 8.

It recognizes the support of the local government to the social welfare development advocacies, programs, projects, and communication thrust of the DSWD.

CSWD focal person for livelihood Rhoda Alvarado, who was also at the awarding ceremony, said the agency’s sustainable livelihood program has two implementing models like employment facilitation and microenterprise development.

Alvarado said Bago City representing Western Visayas was the lone winner out of the 17 competing regions in the country, specifically for employment facilitation.

“Panata sa Bayan is the highest award given by the DSWD to recognize the support of the LGU to the sustainable livelihood program of the national government,” she said, adding that Bago City Government was able to incorporate in its development plan the implementation of various livelihood projects.

The sustainable livelihood program is one of the components of “Tatsulo” initiative of the DSWD along with Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and Kapitbisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS).

Alvarado said the programs of the City Government that facilitates employment include provision of livelihood skills training in collaboration with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda).

Since 2015, they already covered almost 600 recipients. Most of them obtained National Certificate from Tesda and now have their own enterprises, Alvarado said.

“The city also initiated job fairs and special recruitment activities to provide them employment opportunities,” she said, adding that the DSWD really looks into how local government designs measures instead of just relying on the national government.

Mayor Nicholas Yulo said the City Government has been allocating huge fund for social services through its 20 percent development fund.

Yulo said one of the local government’s concentrations now is sustaining the Level 3 Water System project which has been providing potable water sources to the residents as well as income opportunity to their respective associations.

“We are putting a premium on social services as it is important in improving the lives of the people, who are our most important resources,” he added.

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