Sarangani, Davao Occidental (DSWD XI) – A total of 125 non-motorized fishing boats and fishing accessories were turned over to five barangays of the municipality of Sarangani, Davao Occidental on May 17 at the Mabila Port by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) and in coordination with the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAgrO).

“There are 50 more boats yet to be turned over to the beneficiaries of the municipality,” SLP Provincial Coordinator Arthur A. Diaz, said in an interview. “The municipality of Sarangani is fortunate to have rich coastal and marine resources where people depend most of their livelihood on. This is why the turned-over fishing boats and fishing accessories would be of great help in improving the beneficiaries’ socio-economic condition.”

The turnover ceremony was attended by the beneficiary-fishermen and their families, representatives of DSWD and some officials of the LGU.

SLP together with the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KaLaHi-CIDSS) are the three major poverty-reduction programs of the government being spearheaded by DSWD. (DSWD)