MONKAYO, Compostela Valley – Recipients of livelihood programs here appealed to government workers to sustain implementation of existing programs and even expand these programs to benefit more. They believe the programs really help the poor households.

“Gusto kong ipadayon ang programa aron usab magpadayon kami sa nasugdan namong panginabuhian ug unta madungagan ang among financial nga suporta gikan sa gobyerno (I want the programs to go on so we can engage in livelihood still and also we’re hoping for an increase in our financial assistance from the government),” clamored Juvy G. Pueblas, 33, of Barangay Baylo. Juvy has four children. Her husband works as labourer. Her family is a recipient of the DSWD Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP). Of her situation following ‘Pablo’, she said, “Kalooy sa Diyos nakabarog mi og hinay-hinay. Nanghurnal mi aron duna mi kapalit bugas (With God’s mercy, we have gradually recovered. We worked as weed cutters so we can buy rice).”

Cristina M. Ulgasan, 58, a housekeeper and whose husband is a farmer said she wants the programs to continue so that more people can avail. “Nindot nga ipadayon aron dugang makatabang sa mga tao ilabina kung moabot ang mga kalamidad sa maong lugar. Nag struggle mi aron makabangon pag-usab. Pero sa pagkakaron wala pa mi maayong panginabuhian tungod nadaot tanan ang among mga pananom. Nanginahanglan unta mi og financing para makabangon pag-usab. Nagbuhi ko’g baboy, manok ug nagtanom og mga lagutmon (It would be good to continue [the programs] to help people especially when disaster strikes. We are struggling to be able to rise up again. We are financially unstable as all our crops are gone. We need financing to move on. Now, I am rasing hogs, chicken and also cultivating root crops).” Cristina has three children and lives in Purok 8 Poblacion.

The DSWD Sustainable Livelihood is a capability building program that enhances and promotes self-sufficiency of poor Filipino families by developing their socio-economic skills with the help of local government units. This credit facility is interest-free and is payable in two years.

It consists of two tracks: [1] Resource-Based and Market-Driven Sustainable Microenterprise Development through Self-Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran Program; and  [2]  Employable Individuals with Access to Locally-Available Jobs through Guaranteed Employment and Job Network Service.

Carmelita A. Capuyan, 49, of Barangay Poblacion said they need the programs to help the unemployed like her start a business. “Aron matagaan og dugang pagtagad ang mga unang panginahanglan namo, sama sa pagpahulam unta ug dugang capital nga walay enterest aron maka move on name sa among mga panginabuhian labi na sa pag human sa Bagyong Pablo. Kung mag 5 six dako kaayo ang interest (To respond to our basic needs, like access to a capital sans interest so we can move on especially after Typhoon Pablo. Interest is so high if we rely on ‘5-6’).”

A housekeeper Leanisa M. Jimenez from Purok 4, Barangay San Jose said programs of government are a big help to farmers like them. “Makatabang usab sa mga kababayen-an makatabang og panginabuhi sa bana. Kinahanglan usab maningkamot ang tanan aron molambo (The program also helps wives earn and be of help to their husband. Everyone must also work hard to improve their lives).”

Five months past ‘Pablo’,  Monkayo residents have started rebuilding their lives by planting coconut, corn, vegetables, fruits and other root crops. Along with their request to pursue government programs, residents as well call for cooperation of government leaders. “Kinahanglang magtinabangay ang matag pamunuan sa gobyerno aron dili maundang ang mga project nga gilunsad (Government leaders need to work together so that projects are sustained),” urged Cristina Ulgasan and 63-year old widow Nenita D. Orpina of Purok 8 Poblacion. DSWD