A TOTAL of 230 indigent families wanting a chance at a decent means of livelihood were given that opportunity by Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim as he awarded them with a total of P1,109,000 in capital assistance.

Assisted by first district Councilor Nino Dela Cruz and Manila Department of Social Welfare chief Jay Dela Fuente, Lim distributed the assistance to the beneficiaries from Barangay 20, Isla Puting Bato in Tondo during simple ceremonies held at the Manila City Hall.

“Tayo ay narito dahil sa kautusan ng ating Pangulong Noynoy Aquino kay DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman para makatulong sa mga kapatid nating mahihirap  Kaya naisipan ni Secretary Dinky ang proyektong ito upang turuan kayo ng sari-saring klase ng pangkabuhayan at bigyan ng puhunan. Ang Lungsod ng Maynila ay tumutulong lamang sa DSWD. Kasabay nito ay ang aming pangaral sa inyo na palaguin ninyo ang perang ipinagkatiwala sa inyo ng pamahalaan para na rin sa inyong mga anak,” Lim told the recipients of the livelihood assistance.   

He also explained that the Self Employment Assistance -Kaunlaran (SEA-K) Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, which is being implemented in partnership with the city government of Manila, provides capability building and capital assistance to disadvantaged families to undertake income-producing projects and gain opportunities to develop positive work habits and attitudes, improved capacity  to utilize labor and income oriented community services.

The beneficiaries are chosen from among the family recipients of the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4 P’s) who passed the means test and household profiling for livelihood assistance.                     

Very qualified beneficiary is entitled to avail of the capital assistance ranging from a minimum of P3,000 to a maximum loan amount of P10,000, depending on the kind of livelihood project the beneficiary is planning to put up.

The amount loaned shall then be returned to the DSWD within two years on a rollback term using an interest-free and non-collateral scheme.  Weekly repayment amount shall be deposited at the Land Bank of the Philippines wherein the deposit slip will serve as proof of payment of the member. 

A possible re-loan for project expansion or growth can be availed of by the beneficiary with good track records.