Sustainable Livelihood Program - ZDS District 1

06/10/2026

16/09/2026

🌽 WHEN WOMEN WORK TOGETHER, THE HARVEST BECOMES MORE THAN CORN 🌽

It started with just one hectare.

In September 2025, the Balanan Sustainable Livelihood Program Association (SLPA) began its yellow corn production enterprise with a single hectare of farmland. For two production cycles, the members patiently cultivated, managed, and learned from their experience.

Then came a decision that reflected their growing confidence:

“Let us expand.” 🌱

The SLPA added another hectare, bringing its production area to two hectares.

Today, that decision has produced an impressive harvest of approximately 16,000 kilos of yellow corn! 🌽🌽

But behind every kilo of corn is a story of hard work, perseverance, and collective effort.

Majority of the SLPA members are women, and during the harvest, they were not simply waiting for the produce to be gathered. They were right there in the field—harvesting, carrying, sorting, and working together for days.

When the work required them to stay through the night, they pitched tents beside their harvested corn, making sure that the produce was secured and protected until it could be transported. ⛺🌽

And they were not alone.

The SLP PDOs were also present during the harvest period, extending support and working alongside the association as they brought their enterprise another step forward.

Now, their approximately 16,000 kilos of yellow corn are ready for delivery to their institutional buyers, who will pick up the produce using trucks. 🚛🌽

From one hectare to two hectares.
From a small beginning to a 16,000-kilo harvest.
From individual members to a stronger association working as one.

This is more than a story about corn.

It is a story about women who work, members who believe, and an association that continues to grow.

The Balanan SLPA continues to demonstrate that when people work together, challenges become manageable, opportunities become bigger, and a simple livelihood project can grow into a sustainable enterprise. 💚

The harvest is not only measured in kilos of corn—it is measured in the strength, confidence, and hope of the people who made it possible.

🌽 Balanan SLPA: Growing Together, Harvesting Together, Moving Forward Together.

14/09/2026

SLP Pagadian Cluster during Handog ng Pangulo Info Caravan

14/09/2026

🥚🐔 FROM RICE AND FEEDS TRADING TO FRESH EGGS: ALINDAHAW SLPA DIVERSIFIES ITS ENTERPRISE

Another livelihood opportunity is taking shape for the members of Alindahaw SLPA! 🌱

Building on its existing Rice and Feeds Trading Enterprise, the Alindahaw Sustainable Livelihood Program Association (SLPA) has ventured into a new income-generating activity through its Ready-to-Lay Egg Project, made possible through a ₱200,000 Project Diversification Advancement Grant (PDAG).

Today, the investment is beginning to bear fruit quite literally! 🥚😊

The SLPA is now harvesting fresh eggs from its White Leghorn chickens, which are being prepared for sale in the community. From caring for the chickens to collecting and preparing the eggs, the members themselves are actively involved in the day-to-day operations of their new enterprise.

This development is more than an additional source of income. It is a reflection of the SLPA's willingness to innovate, diversify, and explore new opportunities while strengthening its existing enterprise.

From rice and feeds trading to egg production, Alindahaw SLPA continues to demonstrate that an organized community enterprise can grow by recognizing opportunities, investing wisely, and working together.

🥚 From investment to production.
🐔 From production to income.
🌱 From one enterprise to greater opportunities.

Through the Sustainable Livelihood Program, we continue to support organized beneficiaries as they build enterprises that are productive, resilient, and capable of creating sustainable livelihood opportunities.

14/09/2026

🐔🌱 FROM SEED CAPITAL TO HATCHING SUCCESS!

ZamPen Native Chicken Production Enterprise Takes Flight!

What started as a livelihood intervention is now taking a significant step toward becoming a productive and sustainable enterprise. 🐣

Since its official operation began on August 20, 2026, the ZamPen Native Chicken Production Enterprise of the Mahayag Upper Salug Daku Indigenous Peoples’ SLPA has been steadily putting its livelihood assistance into action.

Today, the enterprise is already utilizing its egg-hatching machines to produce chicks—turning eggs into new opportunities for the members and the community. 🐔🥚➡️🐣

This initiative demonstrates how appropriate technology, collective effort, and the determination of organized beneficiaries can transform livelihood assistance into an enterprise with the potential to grow and generate sustainable income.

More than machines and poultry production, this enterprise represents the empowerment of Indigenous Peoples and SLP beneficiaries to become entrepreneurs and active partners in their own economic development.

Through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), we continue to believe that livelihood assistance is not simply about providing resources—it is about building the capacity of communities to manage, grow, and sustain their own enterprises.

🌱 From assistance to enterprise.
🐣 From eggs to opportunities.
🐔 From livelihood to sustainable impact.

21/08/2026

A meaningful milestone was celebrated as the Mahayag Upper Salug Daku IP’s SLPA, composed of members of the Subanen Community, officially opened and blessed its Free-Range ZamPen Native Chicken Production Project. 🐔🌿🎉

The Opening and Blessing of the Mahayag Upper Salug Daku IP’s SLPA Free-Range ZamPen Native Chicken Production Project marks the beginning of a promising livelihood enterprise that combines community empowerment, indigenous participation, innovation, and research-based technology.

With a Seed Capital Fund of ₱850,000.00, the project supported the establishment of the necessary production structure, acquisition of egg-hatching and other poultry-related equipment, and the initial production of ZamPen Native Chicken.

What makes this initiative even more meaningful is that the ZamPen or Zamboanga Peninsula Native Chicken is a product of years of research and development. It was developed through the purification and improvement of the local Jolojano chicken, with research initiatives involving J.H.C. State University and Western Mindanao State University. The breeding and selection process aimed to improve important production traits such as growth, egg production, hatchability, plumage uniformity, and breeder survival.

A highlight of the activity was the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between the Mahayag Upper Salug Daku IP’s SLPA and J.H.C. State University, represented by Dr. Moises Glenn G. Tangalin, whose research leadership has been instrumental in the development and advancement of the ZamPen Native Chicken technology. Through this partnership, the SLPA takes an important step toward ensuring that its enterprise is guided not only by livelihood opportunities but also by science, research, and proper production practices.

The signing was witnessed by Barangay Captain Marben Baker and SLP Provincial Coordinator Earl-Wynn Timbang, symbolizing the collective support of the community, the Local Government Unit, the academe, and the Sustainable Livelihood Program.

The activity was also honored by the presence of Municipal Mayor Manuel T. Saladaga, whose support for livelihood and community development initiatives continues to provide encouragement and opportunities for the people of Mahayag.

More than the opening of a poultry production facility, this activity represents the opening of new opportunities for the Subanen community, an opportunity to transform resources, indigenous participation, research-based technology, and collective effort into a sustainable source of livelihood.

May this enterprise grow stronger, produce abundantly, and become a model of how partnerships and innovation can create meaningful and sustainable opportunities for our communities.

Congratulations, Mahayag Upper Salug Daku IP’s SLPA! 🎊🐓🥚🌿

21/08/2026

15/08/2026

Learning, Adapting, and Embracing AI 🤖💻

A productive day of learning with Department Information Communication and Technology, as SLP PDOs and selected SLPA officers participated in a training on Artificial Intelligence, digital tools, and online platforms.

The activity provided us with practical insights on how technology can help us work smarter, improve productivity, and strengthen our SLPA enterprises and service delivery.

Technology continues to evolve, and so must we. Let us learn, adapt, and use AI responsibly to create better opportunities for our communities.

Thank you, DICT, for the learning and inspiration! 🙏

15/07/2026

𝑻𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝑪𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝑳𝒂𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒓𝒚 𝑬𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑺𝒐𝒍𝒐 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑫𝒖𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒈

On July 15, 2026, a turnover ceremony was successfully conducted in San Pablo, Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur for the Laundry Enterprise project awarded to the Dumingag Solo Parent SLPA. This initiative aims to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities to solo parents in the community, empowering them to improve their economic stability and overall well-being.

The project, amounting to ₱510,000, was officially handed over to the beneficiaries, who are all registered solo parents under the Sustainable Livelihood Program Association (SLPA). The enterprise is expected to serve as a source of income for the members while also addressing the local demand for laundry services in the area.

This undertaking was made possible through the strong partnership between the implementing agency and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Dumingag, with full support from the Local Chief Executive, Hon. Gerry T. Paglinawan. His leadership and commitment to inclusive development have been instrumental in bringing this project to fruition.

The collaboration highlights the LGU’s dedication to empowering vulnerable sectors, particularly solo parents, by providing them with opportunities for livelihood and self-sufficiency. The beneficiaries expressed their gratitude and commitment to manage the enterprise responsibly to ensure its sustainability and long-term success.

The turnover ceremony marks not only the start of a new business venture but also a significant step toward community development and social empowerment in Dumingag.

09/07/2026

The turnover ceremony of the Upper Pulacan Convenience Store under the SLPA was successfully held on July 8, 2026, at Barangay Upper Pulacan, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur. The event marked the official start of the enterprise, symbolizing a step forward in strengthening local livelihood and community development.

The ceremony was attended by community members, local officials, and partner stakeholders who expressed their support and optimism for the store’s sustainability. The project aims to provide accessible goods to residents while generating income opportunities for the association.