The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has earmarked ₱6.256 billion for its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), aiming to uplift more than 273,000 vulnerable families and individuals through small business and employment opportunities.
DSWD Secretary Rexlon Gatchalian emphasized that one of the agency’s main priorities is assisting households that have graduated from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), so they do not fall back into poverty.
SLP Director Edmon Monteverde explained that many families leave 4Ps after completing the required seven-year period but continue to struggle financially. “There are those that exit 4Ps due to natural attrition, meaning, they have already reached the seven-year period as mandated by law, but they could not yet recover due to hardship,” he said.
The SLP also extends support to non-4Ps households that belong to disadvantaged and marginalized groups. Beneficiaries may choose between two tracks: micro-enterprise development, which provides training and seed capital for small businesses, and employment facilitation to help them find jobs.
Monteverde reported that the program has a 74 percent success rate, calling it a strong performance for a government-led initiative. Among its notable achievements are the 32 SLP associations in Real, Quezon, which have grown into million-peso enterprises with their own savings and credit facilities that even extend services beyond their groups.
In Metro Manila, projects such as liquid soap production in Malabon and balut and salted egg ventures in Pateros have become local success stories, proving how small-scale initiatives can create sustainable income for communities.
