SOGOD, Southern Leyte – Southern Leyte Rep. Christopherson Yap said his office has implemented livelihood programs in all 277 barangays in the second district of the province to address unemployment and poverty.
BENEFICIARIES of the SOPWA livelihood project in Southern Leyte. (Photo via Marie Marticio)
Yap said his office allocated P60 million to fund the micro-enterprises of over 46,000 members of the Southern Leyte Organization for People's Welfare Alliance (SOPWA) Livelihood Project.
“We want government funds to be utilized well to help our people. The people need genuine help. This time with SOPWA, we have proven that with just a small amount of seed money, we can share successful stories," Yap said during their anniversary on Saturday, May 4. "This is just the beginning. Hopefully, we can tap national agencies who can see the potential of this program and help us in making this bigger," Yap added.
He attributed the successful implementation of the livelihood projects to the guidance of SOPWA officials and consultants who are retired professionals. They are in charge of supervising the implementation, monitoring, and auditing of the projects even in far-flung areas.
Yap added that the project, which started three years ago, gives equal opportunities for all, especially stay-at-home mothers, laborers, and minimum-wage earners to earn. It also addresses red tape during the processing of permits and licenses since they are registered under an umbrella organization registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Yap said that they also provide health assistance and financial literacy orientations under the SOPWA for their members.