A community laundry shop managed by two organized Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino graduates associations opened in Talisay City, Negros Occidental recently, as part of the Sustainable Livelihood Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Region 6.
A seed capital of P750,000 was provided by the DSWD to the Livelihood Association of Pantawid Graduates chapters 1 and 2, and the members ventured into the laundry service enterprise.
The groups said the presence of two state universities in the city – the Technological University of the Philippines Visayas and the Carlos Hilado Memorial State University – is a good market for laundry services, to cater to the needs of students, faculty members, and residents.
The Palaba sa Pantawid Pamilya store also received P300,000 in financial support from the Talisay city government. The pooled funds were used to purchase wash and dry laundry machines and shop fixtures, and for initial operating expenses.
The Angel’s Wings Foundation, headed by the city’s first lady, Atty. Rowena “Weng” Lopez-Lizares, also donated a tricycle for use in the pickup and delivery of clothes and other items.
The store is located at Capt. Sabi Street, Carmela Valley Homes Subdivision in Brgy. Zone 12-A, and is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
DSWD assistant regional director for Operations, Arwin Razo, meanwhile, expressed his appreciation to the Pantawid graduates associations and the City of Talisay for coming up with a laudable community-based innovation.
Razo also challenged stakeholders to expand the business to other barangays, or start other innovative livelihood activities for the members, the DSWD said.
The store opening Jan. 17 was attended by Vice Mayor Jose Nicolas Jalandoni III, Councilor Rolin Albert Meliton – chairperson of the sanggunian Committee on Social Services, City Social Welfare and Development officer Dionela Flores-Madrona, Promotive Services Division chief Luna Moscoso, Pantawid staff headed by division chief Belen Gebusion, SLP Regional Program Management Office staff headed by regional program coordinator Mary Ann Masculino, and the Negros Occidental SLP Provincial Office staff, headed by provincial coordinator Emily Bacaoco. ||
