A TOTAL of 474 students and recent graduates from Davao del Norte State College (DNSC) received financial aid under the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Cash-for-Work (CFW) Program during a culmination ceremony held on July 22 at the DNSC Gymnasium.
The payout is part of the DSWD’s Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay (KKB) modality under the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan–Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-Cidss), a flagship poverty alleviation program designed to empower communities and promote participatory local governance.
The beneficiaries rendered community-based work and services under the CFW initiative and were compensated for their contribution, providing them both short-term livelihood and practical work experience.
Many of the recipients, who are either still studying or have recently completed their degrees, face significant economic challenges in transitioning to employment.
DSWD Field Office-Davao Regional Director Rhuelo Aradanas, representing Assistant Regional Director for Operations Merlinda A. Paragamac, lauded the program for offering immediate income support while building the work ethic and community engagement of young people.
To complement the cash assistance, the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole-Davao) conducted a mini-seminar titled “Stand Out: Personal Branding and Professionalism for Young Job Seekers.” The session aimed to equip graduate beneficiaries with practical knowledge and soft skills crucial to securing long-term employment, such as effective communication, workplace etiquette, and professional self-presentation.
Dole-Davao representatives emphasized that the session was tailored to help youth beneficiaries prepare for future job opportunities, especially in a competitive and rapidly changing labor market.
The CFW program continues to serve as one of the DSWD’s key strategies in strengthening community resilience and addressing unemployment and underemployment among vulnerable sectors, particularly youth.