Date Posted : August 10, 2023

[Davao City] – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office XI through the Sustainable Livelihood Program led the turnover of seed capital fund to the Ahumon Badjao 23-C SLP Association on August 9, 2023 in Barangay 23-C.

The association, composed of 30 women, received PHP 450,000 worth of livelihood grant to support their thrift store project.

SLP Association President Marissa Macalbi expressed her gratitude to the Department for giving them the opportunity to expand their business. 

“Dako among pasalamat nga gitagaan ming mga Badjao og pagtagad sa DSWD. Karon, mas mailhan na gayud mi nga nagabaligya ug naningkamot, ug labaw sa tanan, dili na mi maingnan nga manlimusay sa mga tao’ [We are very thankful to the Department for giving us ‘Badjaos’ this opportunity. Now, we will no longer be labeled as beggars but rather as hard working entrepreneurs]”, she said.

Juliet Ambalaya, one of the members, also expressed her gratitude towards 4Ps and SLP.

“Isip usa ka Pantawid beneficiary, maingon nako nga kung ang 4Ps para sa maayong kaugmaon sa among mga anak, ang SLP para sa mga ginikanan nga sama nako, para naa pod mi’y sariling kita ug panginabuhian arondili lang mi magsalig sa tabang gikan sa gobyerno [ As a Pantawid beneficiary, I can say that while the 4Psthe 4Ps program aims is really to provide a better future to our children, while the SLP, on the other hand, is intended for us parents so we can have to have our own income and livelihood, and that we won’t don’t just rely on the assistance coming from the government],” Juliet said.

“Karon, dili nami nila mapahawa kay naa nagyud mi’y kaugalingon nga tindahan. Amo gayud kining ampingan [Now, other people can no longer ask us to leave that easily because we have our own thrift store. We will do our best to take good care of our project],” she added. 

The Badjaos, classified among the country’s most vulnerable sectors, continue to be susceptible to discrimination and stereotyping, a predicament that persists to this day. This is the driving force behind the department’s commitment, channeled through its array of programs and services, to enhance their living conditions and, above all, to guarantee a life imbued with dignity and respect.

The SLP aims to improve the economic well-being of the vulnerable, marginalized, and disadvantaged individuals and families in communities by mobilizing and empowering them with the support of the local government units and other government agencies.

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