THE DSWD Ahon Bayan Program endorsed during its 4th Local Resource Forum last Thursday nine social development projects for funding by local donors such as NCCC Cares, Anflocor Foundation, Sagrex Corporation, Kasilak, Holcim, Doña Luisa R. Lorenzo Community Development Foundation (Lapanday), and Soroptimist International.
According to director Ester A. Versoza, the DSWD, proposed projects are Educational Sponsorship for 150 Talaingod Children and Youth; Provision of Equipment for Older Persons’ Center; Child Care Support for Food, Medical and Education Expenses; Skills Training on Plumbing Leading to NC II; Women’s Garments and Catering Project; Skills Training for Returning OFW Filipinas; Quail Production; and Completion of Day Care Center.
Versoza said project proponents for this year are Livingstones Network of Hope Foundation, LGU Talaingod, Magdum SEA-K Association, Cu-Sogian Home for the Elderly, The Religious of the Good Shepherd-Center for Overseas Workers, LGU Hagonoy, and Well of Life Community Development.
The Ahon Bayan Program (ABP) is a resource generation strategy of the DSWD which was started by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 1998 when she was DSWD Secretary and Philippine Vice President. DSWD then convened non-government groups and even some local government units, and resource providers or donor communities for partnership and program-related collaboration.
Ahon Bayan hopes to respond to the augmentation needs of DSWD partners through matching of feasible and sustainable social welfare and development projects with available development assistance or resources of both local and foreign donors.
Versoza said, “With this year’s donors’ forum, we hope to continue to generate commitment of our interested resource providers to support social development projects endorsed through DSWD’s Ahon Bayan Program.” [DSWD/CARMELA CADIGAL-DURON]
