SLP’s provision of capital assistance helps Muslim entrepreneurs recover, thrive in Iloilo City IL

ILOILO CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), helps Muslim entrepreneurs in Iloilo City recover from the effects of inflation through the provision of capital assistance.

Based on recent monitoring activities conducted by the Iloilo City-Guimaras (ICG) Provincial Program Management Office (PPMO), many beneficiaries from the Muslim community in Iloilo City have successfully restored and expanded their microenterprises with the help of the Php 15,000 capital assistance granted by the program.

Among the beneficiaries are small entrepreneurs engaged in selling slippers, cellphone accessories, ready-to-wear clothing, jewelry, and other goods. These business owners, many of whom were severely affected by inflation, shared that the capital infusion allowed them not only to restock their inventory but also to revive their livelihoods and stabilize their sources of income.

Now, they consistently generate a daily net income of Php 1,500 or more.

Most of the beneficiaries operate their businesses in Iloilo City’s main commercial areas, while others work as ambulant vendors, selling their products during market days in nearby towns. With support from the SLP-ICG, several SLP Muslim participants have secured sole proprietorship permits from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), ensuring their businesses are legally registered.

As these small businesses regain momentum, the positive impact of the SLP is being felt not only in the livelihoods of individual beneficiaries but also in the local economy. The program continues to monitor and assist its participants to ensure the long-term sustainability of the assistance provided./dswd6/cdf/Ma. Josefina C. Torre/Nica Grace O. Mission