More than 100 beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) gathered at the District 2 Action Center on June 26 to participate in the SLP Skills Advancement and Network Development toward Welfare and Economic Acceleration (SANDIWA) Conference, commemorating the program’s 15th anniversary.
The full-day event brought together 110 members of SLP Associations (SLPAs) from the National Capital Region, alongside partner organizations, to strengthen entrepreneurial knowledge and improve the sustainability of livelihood projects.
Representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Go Negosyo, Shopee Philippines, and the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) highlighted the value of partnerships in equipping beneficiaries with practical business skills and market access.
Director Marife Leon of the SLP National Program Management Office underscored that the conference was not only a milestone celebration but also an opportunity to recognize the achievements of beneficiaries and further develop their entrepreneurial capabilities.
“This is a first-of-its-kind initiative. It represents the successes not just of the program, but of our participants. Our goal is to enhance their capabilities through microenterprise management training,” Leon said. She added that capability-building remains a core element of SLP beyond providing livelihood assistance.
Quezon City District 2 Action Officer Enrile “Bong” Teodoro commended DSWD for selecting the venue, noting the program’s positive impact on communities.
The conference featured three Microenterprise Management Training I modules covering value chains, profit-sharing strategies, and business negotiation techniques. Participants also attended specialized sessions, including “Mindset ng Tagumpay” by Go Negosyo mentor Graciano “Butch” Salvador, “Barangay Micro Business Enterprise (BMBE)” by DTI’s Madelyne Dacusin, and “Introduction to Shopee Philippines” by Derence Sevilla.
Among the beneficiaries was Mariafe Imbiena, a 4Ps participant and member of the Kababaihan ng Capri SLPA, whose group received a Php400,000 grant to establish a rice retailing enterprise. “We are deeply grateful for these opportunities. In difficult times, this program has been our lifeline,” she said, urging fellow beneficiaries to maximize the support provided.
The event concluded with the launch of “Kwentong Milyon,” a documentary series showcasing inspiring SLP success stories. Over 15 years, the program has assisted more than 4.5 million Filipinos, providing sustainable livelihood and employment opportunities that have transformed communities nationwide.