10 SLPAs in Zamboanga del Norte get P4.4M SCF

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), has released P4.4 million seed capital fund (SCF), providing livelihood opportunities to 10 SLP Associations (SLPAs) in Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte.

The DSWD-Zamboanga Peninsula said the SCF was released to the identified beneficiary SLPAs on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at the municipal training center of Sibuco.

The following SLPAs who received their checks and certificates of accreditations were: Guimbaparang United Farmers SLPA with 19 members, P350,000 SCF; Malayal Bakery Shop SLPA, 20 members, P400,000; Lunday 4Ps SLPA, 30 members, P540,000; Lunday Valley Farmers SLPA, 27 members, P540,000; Sto. Nino Dreamers SLPA with 23 members P460,000; Sto. Nino Millers SLPA, 30 members, P600,000; 4S SLPA with 24 members, P480,000; Jaitan Minigrocery SLPA, 16 members, P320,000; Kamarangan Fishers SLPA with 25 members, P450,000; and, Anongan Bakery SLPA with 30 members, P430,000 SCF.

The SLPA beneficiaries are engaged in the following projects: farming and backyard gardening; selling assorted pastries to the inner most part of the barangays; general merchandise including the selling of agricultural supplies for the fisherfolk and farmers; buy and sell of rice and corn produce; buy and sell of agricultural supplies; rice mill; processing and bottling of spanish style sardines; general merchandise store; fishing; and bakery and a refreshment store.

The DSWD-Zamboanga Peninsula said the implementation of SLPAs in Sibuco is the result of a dialogue from 2023 on how SLP can provide livelihood assistance based on the prevailing needs of the community.

Sibuco Municipal Administrator Ruth Ventura hopes that the grants given to the 10 SLPAs will not only increase their profit, but also to expand the scope of their chosen enterprise.

Ventura encouraged the SLPA members to be open to each other as they are the core of the SLPA and the main reason why their livelihood will succeed.

Sibuco is the southernmost town of Zamboanga Del Norte province, which is also considered a geographically isolated and disadvantaged area (GIDA), where government and private services are often limited due to rough terrains.

The SLP is a community-based program implemented by the DSWD. Its primary goal is to improve the socio-economic status of vulnerable, marginalized, and poor households and communities by providing them with livelihood opportunities. (SunStar Zamboanga)