The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday launched the “Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat” Serbisyo Caravan at the Provincial Capitol Dome in Virac, Catanduanes, bringing close to P40 million worth of government services directly to communities.

The simultaneous kick-off of the national government’s service caravan was held as part of the 69th birthday celebration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

Various national agencies, including the DSWD, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)—converged in Catanduanes to deliver comprehensive public assistance throughout the day.

“Close to P40 million worth of services from various government agencies are being distributed here. There are services from the DSWD, DOLE, TESDA, CHED, and various others. Many beneficiaries have received assistance,” DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said during the caravan’s kick-off ceremony.

The DSWD awarded four Sustainable Livelihood Program Associations (SLPAs) with seed capital funds to support their respective enterprises, amounting to more than P700,000.

The grant recipients included the Baff SLPA from the municipality of Pandan, which received P225,000 for a fish-processing project, while the Seasand Warriors SLPA from Panganiban received P315,000 for a hog-raising business.

The Unli Rice SLPA and Rocky Wings SLPA, both based in the municipality of San Miguel, each received P100,000 to expand their existing rice-retailing and poultry enterprises.

The DSWD also distributed 500 hot meals and 1,000 family food packs (FFPs) to 1,000 abaca farmers affected by the enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat) and recent tropical cyclones.

“We also want to help our abaca farmers and their spouses so they can have a second source of income for their families. They are already organized as Sustainable Livelihood Program Associations, and now, all they need is capital,” Gatchalian said.