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The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office IX formally released the P9.7 Million capital seed funds to the forty two (42) the SEA-K associations in a turn-over ceremony held on June 20, 2014 at DSWD conference room, Zamboanga City.

A SEA-K Association president receives the check of the Capital Seed Fund during the turn-over ceremony. (L-R) ARD for Admin, Mr. Riduan Hadjimuddin; ARD for Operations, Mrs. Consejo H. Usman; CSWDO Head, Mrs. Socorro Rojas and RPC for SLP, Mrs. Elizabeth Saavedra.
SEA-K Association president receives their check from DSWD during the turn-over ceremony led by (L-R) ARD for Admin, Mr. Riduan Hadjimuddin; ARD for Operations, Mrs. Consejo H. Usman; CSWDO Chief, Mrs. Socorro Rojas and RPC for SLP, Mrs. Elizabeth Saavedra.

DSWD have identified nine hundred seventy (970) Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) formed from the different transitory sites including Home Based who will be starting livelihood programs in their respective areas. The members received 10,000 pesos each, payable in one-year term with no interest.

The compositions of the 42 SEA-K associations in the transitory sites are as follows: 3 from PTSI Transitory site; 8 from Rio Hondo Transitory site; 9 from Tulungatung Transitory site; 10 from Taluksangay Transitory site and 12 from the Home Based IDPs of Rio Hondo, Mariki, Lustre, Sta. Barbara and Sta. Catalina.

“Lahat tayo ay hangad na mabago ang lebel ng pamumuhay, kahit sa ganitong paraan matututo tayong tumayo sa ating mga sariling paa” said DSWD Regional Director, Zenaida Arevalo as she encouraged all association presidents present during the event to be responsible in their money for the livelihood activities they have identified as this can be replicated for the rest of the IDPs who also intend to avail the same assistance after its 1st batch.

“ Nawa’y magamit natin sa magandang paraan ang Capital Seed Fund” she added.

The members of the association underwent six month Community Driven Enterprise Development (CDED) process where all of them were trained on Financial Literacy, Time Management and Basic Budget Management during Social Preparation and Capability Building Training phases. This compliance will ensure the effective delivery and readiness on the Livelihood activities they have chosen.

In the presence of the guests, Mr. Diosdado Palacat of the Office of City Agriculturist, Ms. Silva Delos Santos of Department of Labor and Employment, Mr. Ben Aspera of International Labor Organization, the turn-over of checks to the SEA-K Presidents were led by Asst. Regional Directors for DSWD Mr. Riduan Hadjimuddin , Mrs. Consejo H.Usman and City Social Welfare Development Office Chief, Mrs. Ma.Socorro A. Rojas, assisted by Regional Program Coordinator for Sustainable Livelihood Program, Mrs. Elizabeth L. Saavedra.

A short testimonial was given by the SEA-K President of Green Rose who expressed words of appreciation for the immediate release of funds to start a life anew with their livelihood activities after they have been displaced for months due to September 9 standoff.

The Capital Seed Fund is under the Micro-Enterprise Development track of the DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program where recipients may avail through Self-Employment Assistance Kaunlaran (SEA-K) modality.

The said 9.7 Million CSF release was a special project as an intervention of the Department on Livelihood assistance intended solely for the IDPs. ##