DSWD, SM Foundation join hands for urban farmers’ training program

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has responded to the call of public-private partnership for the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries nationwide.

One of the responses from the Central Visayas is a partnership with SM Foundation Inc.,  through its Kabalikat Sa Kabuhayan urban farmer’s training program.

The Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan is a project of SM Foundation Inc. and DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program for the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries to have various options towards self-sufficiency.

One of the options identified is the training on improved and double agriculture technology through Harbest Agribusiness Corporation in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Sixty-six beneficiaries from barangays Duljo Fatima, Mambaling, Carreta, Inayawan, Cogon Pardo, Apas, Zapatera, Suba and Busay in Cebu City participated in the program, an indication that they are willing to cross poverty threshold.

The training program modules will use the dual-tech-system-technical briefing and actual hands-on field practice in various project sites identified by the SM Foundation for the beneficiaries.

“Kabalo mi nga ang pagpananom makahatag ug alternatibong panginabuhi-an sa akong pamilya ug tungod sa ilang gitudlo nami dili na kaayo lisud ang pagpuyo sa siyudad (We know that gardening provides alternative livelihood to my family and with the methods they taught us, living in the city is not very difficult), said Nona Sasam, 48, from Duljo Fatima.

The 12 training sessions on planning, seed sowing, seedling nursery design, trellising and harvesting will run for three months.

The Cebu City government supported the program by providing a small area in reclamation for the vegetable garden.

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program is a conditional cash transfer program that provides financial assistance to its beneficiaries, such as P500 per month per household for health and P300 per month per child for a maximum of three children, provided that the beneficiaries comply with the conditions set under the program.

Set conditions include monthly health check up at the health center, 85 percent attendance in school for the children and a regular monthly attendance to family development sessions to continue receiving P500/month per household for health and P300 per month per child for a maximum of three children.