The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office (DSWD) in Eastern Visayas and the Visayas State University (VSU) in Baybay City have formally entered into a partnership to bolster the region's livelihood initiatives. A memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed to solidify this collaboration.
Strengthening Livelihood Through Collaboration
DSWD Regional Director Grace Subong emphasized the importance of partnerships in program implementation. "We cannot implement a program alone. We need partners. That is why we tapped Visayas State University, as we recognized that it has substantial resources, particularly in technical expertise, which DSWD doesn’t have," she stated.
Subong expressed gratitude to VSU President Dr. Prose Ivy Yepes, along with the university's Research, Development, Extension, and Innovation (RDEI) department and other officials, for their commitment to the partnership.
Enhancing the Sustainable Livelihood Program
The agreement aims to improve the implementation of the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) by fostering collaborative efforts in capacity-building, livelihood development, education, and health initiatives. According to DSWD, "The partnership is expected to empower SLP participants to actively engage in the local economy as micro-entrepreneurs."
Following the MOA signing, Director Subong promoted the agency's SLP program and other services during an interview on DYDC 104.7 FM, VSU's official radio station. DSWD noted that "the collaboration is expected to improve service delivery and expand opportunities for SLP beneficiaries in Eastern Visayas through strengthened institutional support and technical assistance."
Key Officials Present
Also present at the MOA signing were VSU Vice President for Research, Extension and Innovation Dr. Santiago Peña, VSU Director for Extension Dr. Catherine Arradanza, SLP Project Development Officer Noel Inot, and SLP Leyte 2 Provincial Coordinator Darwin Cabelin.
