The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office IX through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) held its Partnership Forum in LM Metro Hotel, Zamboanga City on October 1, 2019.

Attended  by Participants from the different Government Agencies, Private Sector, and other institutional partners, the forum intends to provide updated and appropriate planned programs and services to be implemented for possible collaborative efforts and support from duly established partners and stakeholders for sustainable implementation in the community where the program implementers of Sustainable Livelihood Program work.

The Sustainable Livelihood Program is a capability-building program for poor, vulnerable and marginalized households and communities to improve their socio-economic conditions through accessing and acquiring necessary assets to engage in and maintain thriving livelihoods.

The activity also aims to ensure partnership and collaborative efforts in the implementation of developmental programs and services of the communities; To emphasize prioritization of Sustainable Livelihood Program Associations and SLP products in implementing partnership initiatives with the NGAs as mandated by the Central Office, and; To strengthen collaboration with National and Local partners in promoting and delivering employment opportunities, economic ventures and skills enhancement.

In his message, Regional Director Nestor B. Ramos underscored the importance of gathering the SLP stakeholders,  “Reducing poverty is not only responsibility of one sector, like national government but also includes private sector. We cannot achieve development on poorest of the poor without our partners.”

“We are inviting you in a hope of touching your heart in helping us reduce the poverty. I wish this forum of partnership will not only start today but also continue in the future. Let us continue to communicate with each other, look at how we can contribute to reduce poverty.” Director Ramos added