“Alagaan niyo ito at palaguin,” Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer Lerma Padagas repeatedly reminded the members of 12 different Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) associations in Bayambang as they received P10,000 each from the Department of Social Welfare and Development on April 20 during the Awarding of Seed Capital Fund at the Balon Bayambang Events Center.

There were 15 lucky recipients from the Masaganang Maigpa Workers SLP Association, 23 from the Manambong Sur Farmers SLPA, 15 from the Pangdel Rice Retailers SLPA, 13 from the Mangabul SLP Workers Association, 21 from the Manambong Norte Workers Association, 28 from the Warding Farming SLPA, 19 from the Managos Farming SLPA, 16 from the Hermoza Farmers SLPA, 12 from the San Vicente Rice Retailers SLPA, 17 from the Bani Delicious Ice Cream SLPA, and 10 from the Aangat Tayo SLPA of Bongato East. According to Padagas, they were chosen as beneficiaries for the project because the Municipal Link saw that they are ready to continue the program started by the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and they can now stand even without the conditional cash transfer.

Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao explained that it is called ‘seed capital’ because “ang binhi, kapag naitanim, tumutubo, lumalago, lumalaki, at saka nagbubunga.” Mayor Quiambao pointed out how lucky these recipients are as he recalled how he began with only $50 when he was starting his own business back in 1973. “Napaka-swerte niyo kasi mayroon tayong departamento na pwedeng mag-alaga sa inyo, alagaan kayo, pangaralan kayo, at magbibigay pa ng puhunan,” he said.

“Ang purpose nito ay para makatulong sa inyo para tayo ay maka-ahon sa kahirapan,” Mayor Quiambao went on, as he advised the beneficiaries to know what they wanted to invest in for their capital to grow. As if the seed capital wasn’t enough, Mayor Quiambao also promised to double the amount of savings of whoever has the highest earnings saved in their bank account every six months for two years. “At kung sino ang pinaka-matagumpay sa loob ng dalawang taon, isaandaang libo ang premyo niyo,” he added.

Guests from different offices were also invited to give the beneficiaries knowledge about the different things that they could do with the seed money. Cooperative Development Specialist II Sheryl Lou M. Fabia discussed what cooperatives are and how they can help in uplifting the lives of people. SLP’s Provincial Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Gemalyn C. Manolid was also present to talk about project utilization check and monitoring, while Project Development Officer Sandra D. Fajardo prepared a presentation regarding the importance of savings.

The recipients were ecstatic upon receiving the money that would help them stand on their own feet, and the LGU is equally delighted to see these Bayambangueños one step closer to achieving better quality of life.

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