DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP)

Did you know that the Department of Social Welfare and Development provides different types of financial assistance? To low-income groups, the vulnerable, and disadvantaged persons, the department offers medical, educational, and livelihood assistance, among many others.

When it comes to livelihood assistance, the DSWD offers the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) to qualified applicants. In this article, we will talk all about this program — its benefits, qualifications, requirements, and various steps involved.

What is SLP?

The Sustainable Livelihood Program or SLP is a capacity-building program that seeks to improve the livelihood as well as the socio-economic well-being of the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized communities in the Philippines.

The program is carried out via two tracks: (a) Micro-Enterprise Development (MD), which is designed for those who would like to venture into entrepreneurship; and (b) Employment Facilitation (EF), which seeks to assist qualified people to gain employment.

In relation to these tracks, the SLP provides different types of “modalities,” as follows:

• Seed Capital Fund — up to a maximum of PHP 15,000;
• Skills Training Fund — up to a maximum of PHP 15,000;
• Cash for Building Livelihood Assets — 75% of prevailing regional wage; and/or
• Employment Assistance Fund — PHP 5,000.

SLP: Benefits and Modalities

At this point, let us take a closer look at each “modality” offered through the Sustainable Livelihood Program:

1. Seed Capital Fund

As the name implies, the seed capital fund would serve as start-up capital for those who are planning to start (or expand) a business. It falls under the Micro-Enterprise Development track, and amounts to a maximum of PHP 15,000 for every participant.

2. Skills Training Fund

This fund may be coursed through the Micro-Enterprise Development or the Employment Facilitation track. Amounting to PHP 15,000 for each participant, this fund seeks to help people acquire the knowledge and skills they need to run a business (or perform their jobs). The fund covers transportation, meals, training fees, and assessment fees.

3. Cash for Building Livelihood Assets

This is an allowance provided to those who have performed work such as building, rebuilding, and/or protecting the natural or physical assets of a micro-enterprise. It is equal to 75% of the prevailing regional wage.

4. Employment Assistance Fund

Amounting to PHP 5,000 per participant, this fund is used to help process medical exams and documents needed by newly-hired persons. They may also use it as transportation or meal allowance.

Qualifications

The Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) is open to all Filipinos, especially those who belong to the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized sectors. Notably, priority is given to:

• Members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps);
• Poor or low-income persons identified through the “Listahanan” database;
• Persons belonging to marginalized and vulnerable sectors such as out-of-school youth (OSY), persons with disabilities (PWDs), indigenous peoples (IPs), internally displaced persons (IDP), etc.; and
• Walk-in clients and referred individuals.

NOTE: Applicants who want to join the program — but are not members of 4Ps or not included in the Listahanan database — need to be assessed through the SLP Means Test in order to verify if they qualify for the program.

That being said, please take note of the following specific qualifications for each SLP track:

1. For Micro-Enterprise Development Track

Applicants for this track should be:

• At least 16 years old (with written consent from parent or legal guardian);
• A member of a Sustainable Livelihood Program Association (SLPA); and
• A beneficiary of DSWD’s social protection programs that have limited or no access to formal credit facilities.

2. For Employment Facilitation Track

Applicants for this track should be:

• At least 18 years old;
• A beneficiary of DSWD’s social protection programs with labor skills, but has no formal employment or is unemployed.

NOTE: For each household, a maximum of 2 members can join the program, provided that they are pursuing different tracks.

Requirements

By the end of the Sustainable Livelihood Program, every participant receives a “Certificate of Eligibility.” It is signed by the SLP Program Management Office’s Regional Program Coordinator.

Basically, the certificate confirms that the participant has completed the following requirements:

1. For Micro-Enterprise Development Track

• Attendance to SLP Orientation;
• Attendance of all SLPA members to Micro-Enterprise Development Training;
• Ratified SLPA Constitution and By-Laws;
• Signed Modality Application Form with complete attachments (if applicable); and
• “Mungkahing Proyekto” signed by Regional Director.

2. For Employment Facilitation Track

• Attendance to SLP Orientation;
• Attendance to Basic Employment Skills Training;
• Signed Employment Assistance Fund/Skills Training Fund Needs Assessment;
• Signed Modality Application Form with complete attachments (if applicable);
• Signed Employment Assistance Fund Utilization Commitment; and
• “Mungkahing Proyekto” signed by Regional Director;

NOTE: The “Mungkahing Proyekto” is a document containing information (e.g. costs, inputs, etc.) about the SLPA’s proposed livelihood project. This document is prepared by the Implementing Project Development Officer (IPDO) and SLP staff.

How to Apply

Are you interested in joining the Sustainable Livelihood Program? If so, be sure to follow these steps:

1. Go to the nearest City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (C/MSWDO).
2. Ask the SLP Project Development Officer (PDO) about the schedule of program activities.
3. Under the instruction and guidance of the PDO, join the SLP activities.
4. Participate regularly in the SLP activities and wait for further instructions from the PDO.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Below are some frequently asked questions and answers about the Sustainable Livelihood Program or SLP:

1. What is the Sustainable Livelihood Program?

The Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) is a capacity-building program that aims to improve the livelihood and socio-economic well-being of poor, vulnerable, and marginalized communities.

2. Who can join this program?

SLP is open to all Filipinos. However, priority is given to the following persons: (a) members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program; (b) people identified through the “Listahanan” database; (c) out-of-school youth (OSY); persons with disabilities (PWDs); members of indigenous peoples (IPs); persons with disabilities; and internally displaced persons (IDP).

3. What are the main tracks of SLP?

The SLP program is carried out through 2 main tracks: Micro-Enterprise Development (MD) and Employment Facilitation (EF).

4. What are the benefits that I can get?

Generally, the program provides financial assistance, skills-training, and capacity-building. In addition, participants can expect to benefit from several “modalities,” based on their track.

5. How can I learn more about the program?

For more information about SLP, please visit the nearest DSWD office in your area to inquire about the program.

Contact Information: SLP National Program Management Office

If you are based in the National Capital Region (NCR) and you’d like to know more about SLP, you can contact the National Program Management Office, which is located at the DSWD Central Office:

Address: 3rd Floor Mahusay Building, DSWD, Batasang Pambansa Complex, Batasan Hills, Quezon City, Philippines, 1126
Telephone: +63 2 931 8101 local 332
Email: inquiry@dswd.gov.ph
Website: https://livelihood.dswd.gov.ph/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SustainableLivelihoodDSWD/

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Summary

The great thing about DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program is that it offers not only financial assistance, but also knowledge and skills that a participant can apply… for life! After all, it is important to teach people how to “sustain” their livelihood — as an entrepreneur, as an employee, or both!

Another DSWD program you should know about is the Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons (RRPTP). Whether you are working in the Philippines or abroad, this program is a great help! Check out this link to read all about it!