The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 2 (DSWD-FO2), through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), conducted the Project KATHA Immersion and Capability-Building Activities to strengthen the product development, branding, packaging, labeling and market readiness of Sustainable Livelihood Program Associations (SLPAs) and Individual program participants.
The activity was facilitated by the SLP National Program Management Office (SLP-NPMO) Project Katha Team, who assessed locally produced products and provided technical recommendations to improve their quality, presentation, and competitiveness in the market. Products assessed under the Priority category included beaded bags and wallets of Jennifer B. Dayao from Dupax del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya; herbal tea products of Purita A. Yaman from Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya; wooden handicrafts of Romuel U. Vinhero from Tuao, Cagayan; mushroom-based products of Cerilo L. Sumajit from Mallig Isabela; and the nipa wine and nipa vinegar, and mulberry wine of Tayak Agrifishery SLPA in Abulug, Cagayan.
Participants expressed their commitment to implement the recommended product development and packaging enhancements while LGU’s and Municipal Social Welfare and Development Offices (MSWDOs) pledged their continued support in the implementation of the interventions.
The immersion was successfully conducted through the collaboration of the SLP Regional Program Management Office in coordination with the Provincial Coordinators, Provincial Partnership Focals, concerned Monitoring and Evaluation Project Development Officers (MPDOs) and MSWDOs with the participation of the Honorable Mayor of Abulug, Cagayan. The enhanced product prototypes are scheduled to be presented in September 2026, marking the next phase of Project KATHA in empowering SLP participants to develop more competitive, market-driven enterprises and contribute to sustainable and inclusive local economic development.
