Members of Pantawid Pamilya livelihood association in Barangay Lucatan, Tarragona, Davao Oriental convene to elect their officers.

 

Davao City – At least six livelihood associations of Pantawid Pamilya recipients have been granted accreditation by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), as workers’ association vested with legal personality and all rights and privileges.

According to DSWD Project Development Officer Marissa C. Vaid, the six groups are located in Tarragona, Davao Oriental and Agdao, Davao City.

Vaid, who facilitated the accreditation, said legitimate associations will then be able to request livelihood assistance or funding from government institutions, private companies and other agencies.

Implementation was difficult in the beginning. Lots of discussions were conducted, workshops, capacity building, to let them understand that opportunities are there. They just need to grab it, use it, and live with it. This is one way of boosting their morale as members of society. But in the end, they learned to appreciate the importance of being duly registered and accredited by DOLE, Vaid shared.

The six groups are the Pantawid Workers Association of Lucatan -Tarragona 1, Pantawid Workers Association of Lucatan – Tarragona 2, Pantawid Workers Association of Central -Tarragona, Pantawid Workers Association of Rag Makers in Agdao, OCEANIC Pantawid Workers Association of Agdao, and LUDAR Pantawid Workers Association of Agdao.

The support of local government units both in Tarragona and here in Davao City, contributed largely in the successful accreditation of the associations, Vaid pointed out.

For now, more Pantawid livelihood associations in Agdao District are being mobilized and primed for DOLE registration and accreditation, Vaid added.

The three groups in Agdao with 258 members have been accessed to 19 units of sewing machines under the project Fashion Components Making cum Production. Involved in this venture are barangays Agdao Proper, Paciano Bangoy, Tomas Monteverde, Centro San Juan, Lapu-lapu, W. Aquino, V. Duterte, R. Castillo, Ubalde, and Leon Garcia.

Meanwhile, the six associations are currently engaged in Banana Chips Making cum Production, Fresh Miki ‘Pancit’ Making cum Production, Rag Making Cum Production, Spiced Alamang/Dilis Making cum Production, and Spiced Vinegar Making cum Production. (DSWD)