Four (4) livelihood associations, composed of fisherfolks residing in coastal barangays of Balayan, Batangas, received PhP 1.5 million seed capital fund from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) last February 10.

The said seed capital fund is provided under the DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) for starting microenterprises such as selling dried fish and managing fishing supplies stores.

Prior to receiving the said seed capital fund, the fisherfolks were organized by the DSWD Field Office IV-A in partnership with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). As an organized association, they were provided with various capacity building sessions in proposing for and managing their chosen microenterprises.

Mary Rose Lopez, the president of the Fishing Warriors SLP Association, shared their group’s gratitude to the support of the government to fisherfolks like them. She added that they will work together to ensure the growth of their fishing supplies store.

Upon opening their microenterprises, the DSWD, BFAR, and the local government assure continuous support not only in the monitoring of the businesses but also in the continuous provision of training programs to better capacitate them in succeeding with their chosen micro-enterprises. [with reports from NHHRuiz]