KORONADAL CITY – The head of Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Mindanao asked the public Sunday to shop at government Bazaar in Koronadal City.

Bai Zorahayda T. Taha made the appeal during the opening of “PaskoJuan Festival, Bazaar, Salo-Salo sa Pagbabago,” along General Santos Drive, Koronadal City, South Cotabato Province, Sunday, November 30.

The nationwide event showcases Sustainable Livelihood Program and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino program beneficiaries as product concessionaires.

“Please come and do your shopping at the bazaar. Join us in helping the beneficiaries succeed in their lives,” Director Taha said.

In Manila, DSWD secretary Dinky Soliman said in statement buying even just an item or two will greatly add to the income of the beneficiaries, as well as provide them hope.

“These are still part of the livelihood initiatives under the SLP which empowers poor families by equipping them with skills and providing them capital assistance to start their own entrepreneurial activities towards self-sufficiency,” Sec. Soliman said.

Koronadal City Peter Miguel, who attended the opening, said they are working closely with the DSWD to uplift the lives of marginalized people in the region.

SLP is a community-based capacity building program that seeks to improve the socio-economic status of program participants or the beneficiaries. It is implemented through the Community-Driven Enterprise Development (CDED) approach, which engages program participants or beneficiaries to actively contribute to production and labor markets by making use of available resources and accessible markets.

The program aims to enable the beneficiaries to manage sustainable micro-enterprises or link them to locally available jobs that will enhance their access to basic social services and improve their standard of living. (End)