THE first ever Social Services Conference and Expo (Socsecon) 2019 was held recently at the Robinsons Starmills in cooperation with CLTV36 and the Area-Based Standards Network (ABSNET) Pampanga Cluster.
The Socsecon 2019 featured the Likhang Hiraya Photo and Product Exhibit of the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The event showcased the different unique products of the beneficiaries of the agency and provides exposure for possible expansion of the markets of such products. The event also aimed to promote awareness of the different social programs of the DSWD.
Among the products exhibited were sabutan bags, wallets, place mats and slippers made from organic products by SLP beneficiary from Aurora province.
SLP beneficiaries from Tarlac province showcased clay pots, slippers and crochet wallets as well as swim suits and clothes. Lassa brooms from SLP Bataan were also part of the exhibit.
SLP is a “community-based capacity building program seeking to improve the beneficiaries’ socio-economic status.” With SLP, beneficiaries receive trainings like financial literacy and basic skills training like basic bookkeeping, resource mapping and value chain analysis.
SLP participants undergo social preparation and capacity-building workshops before deciding what livelihood to venture into. Agriculture, hog raising, handcrafting, food processing, and sari-sari stores are among the activities that most beneficiaries have ventured into.
Most of the beneficiaries of the SLP program are part of the DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program or 4Ps.