The Sustainable Livelihood Program Act

Senate TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 AUG -4 P1:08 SENATE RECENCBS: 1787 S. No._ Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD PROGRAM AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE In 2023, poverty rate fell to 15.5% based on the data from the Philippine Statistics Authority from the previous 18.1% in 2021. Accordingly, this is equivalent to 17.54 million Filipinos whose income is not sufficient to meet their basic food and non-food needs. While this marked a significant progress toward the government's goal of reducing poverty to a single-digit level by 2028, according to the National Economic and Development Authority, there is a need to work on the creation of more and higher-quality jobs and human capital development to enhance Filipinos' income- earning abilities. 1 Poverty, vulnerability, and social exclusion remain deeply entrenched realities for millions of Filipinos, particularly among rural households, informal workers, indigenous communities, and disaster-prone populations. As part of the State's continuing commitment to inclusive development, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) established the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), a community-based, capacity-building intervention aimed at enabling poor, marginalized, and disadvantaged individuals and communities to secure long-term economic empowerment. By providing livelihood grants, targeted skills training, and employment 1 Gonzales, A. L. (2024, July 22). Poverty rate falls to 15.5% in 2023 / Philippine News Agency. Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1229459.

facilitation, the SLP seeks to shift beneficiaries from a condition of chronic subsistence to one of self-sufficiency, resilience, and productive participation in the economy. However, despite its demonstrated impact, the SLP remains an executive policy initiative without statutory foundation. The absence of an enabling law renders the program vulnerable to administrative discontinuity, resource constraints, and shifting priorities across political transitions. Institutionalizing the SLP through legislation will reinforce its mandate, ensure predictable and sustained funding, and standardize its implementation nationwide. More importantly, it will enshrine the country's obligation to uphold inclusive and sustainable development, anchored on the principle that access to decent and resilient livelihoods is not merely an economic objective, but a cornerstone of human dignity and national advancement. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought. LOREN LEGARDA

Senate Office nitis retry TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session AUG -4 P1:08 SENATE RECENED 5: S. No._ Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD PROGRAM AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short title - This Act shall be known as "The Sustainable Livelihood

2 Program Act".

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policies - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to

promote inclusive livelihood and entrepreneurial opportunities as fundamental pillars of sustainable development and social equity. The State affirms that broad-based access to income-generating activities is essential to reducing poverty, enhancing 7 human dignity, and fostering resilience among disadvantaged populations. Accordingly, the State shall endeavor to uplift the socio-economic conditions of 9 the poor, marginalized, and vulnerable by facilitating access to livelihood assets, 10 enabling meaningful participation in the market, and supporting community-based livelihood interventions that reflect local capacities and needs. Towards this end, the State shall recognize, harness, and strengthen the inherent skills and potential of Filipino individuals, households, and communities through community mobilization and enterprise development. It shall ensure that all livelihood support mechanisms are participatory, inclusive, and designed to achieve long-term, sustainable outcomes.

Sec. 3. Definition of Terms - The following terms are defined as follows:

(a) Capability-Building - refers to the provision of institutional assistance to program participants geared at enhancing their competencies to start, manage, and sustain their established livelihood projects; (b) Disadvantaged - refers to an individual, family, or group who is considered economically, physically, and socially deprived or has inadequate means to protect oneself including indigent children, out-of- school youth, physically unfit and persons with disabilities, distressed individuals and families; (c) Employment Facilitation (EF) Track - refers to a track of the SLP that provides assistance to eligible program participants who prefer formal employment rather than engaging in microenterprise; (d) Micro-enterprise Development Track (MD Track) - refers to a track of the SLP which focuses on the establishment of micro-enterprise through the provision of financial capital, enhancement of skills, and building/re- building physical and natural assets; (e) Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) - refers to the national poverty reduction strategy and a human capital investment program that provides conditional cash transfer to poor households for a maximum period of seven (7) years, to improve the health, nutrition, and education aspect of their lives. The National Advisory Council (NAC) may recommend a longer period under exceptional; circumstances; (f) Poor - refer to individuals or families whose income falls below the poverty threshold as defined by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and/or who cannot afford in a sustained manner to provide their minimum basic needs of food, health, education, housing, or other essential amenities of life, as defined under Republic Act No. 8425, otherwise known as the "Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act"; (g) Program Participants - refers to an eligible individual or members of the SLPAs who are in need of livelihood assistance and will be provided through the various modalities and interventions of the Program;

(h) Sustainable Livelihood Program Association (SLPA) - refers to a beneficiary Civil Society Organization (CSO) organized by the DSWD through SLP with minimum of 15 and maximum of 30 members in an association and is issued with Certificate of Accreditation (CoA) to be eligible recipients of SLP assistance under the Microenterprise Development Track; (i) Sustainable Livelihood - refers to a livelihood that can cope with and recover from stresses and shocks and maintain or enhance its capabilities and assets both now and in the future, while not undermining the natural resource base; and (i) Vulnerable - refers to households confronted by ex-ante risk that, if they are currently non-poor, will fall below the poverty line; if they are currently poor, they will remain in poverty. It is defined in terms of exposure to adverse conditions related to welfare, not just their exposure to poverty.

Sec. 4. The Sustainable Livelihood Program - The Sustainable Livelihood

Program (SLP) is a livelihood capability-building program for the identified poor, and vulnerable, marginalized, and disadvantaged individuals, households, communities that provide assistance in the form of Microenterprise Development and Employment Facilitation Track to qualified SLP program participants. The SLP shall also prioritize support for green livelihoods, artisanal industries, and heritage-based enterprises, including but not limited to climate-resilient farming, 23 eco-tourism, indigenous and local crafts, circular economy initiatives, and cultural heritage enterprises. These shall be aligned with sustainable development goals, environmental stewardship, and the preservation of intangible cultural heritage.

Sec. 5. Modalities of Assistance - The SLP shall have two (2) Tracks mainly:

a) Microenterprise Development Track that provides support for the establishment of microenterprise livelihoods; and b) Employment Facilitation Track that provides support in securing and maintaining gainful employment.

Sec. 6. Micro-Enterprise Development Track. The following are the modalities

under the Micro-Enterprise Development (MD) Track:

a) Seed Capital Fund - a grant used as start-up capital to purchase raw materials, small tools, and common service facilities such as machinery, equipment, and plants needed in starting or expanding a microenterprise. A maximum amount of twenty thousand pesos (Php 20,000.00) per individual program participant, and a maximum amount of thirty thousand pesos (Php 30,000.00) per SLPA member; b) Skills Training Fund - a grant used for the acquisition of knowledge and skills needed by the members of the SLPA in the management of the microenterprise. The grants cover the following components: a) technical-vocational skills training fee; b) meal, lodging, and transportation allowance; c) training supplies and materials; and d) program participants' assessment fee. A maximum amount of twenty thousand pesos (Php 20,000.00) per program participant; and c) Cash for Building Livelihood Assets Fund - an allowance or stipend is provided to SLPA members who have rendered work for labor-intensive projects to build, re-build, and/or protect natural and physical assets necessary for more profitable, self-sustaining, and resilient microenterprises. The allowance of stipend shall be equivalent to 100% of the present regional standard minimum wage set by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for a maximum of 11 days.

Sec. 7. Employment Facilitation Track. The following are the modalities under

the Employment Facilitation (EF) Track: a) Employment Assistance Fund is a grant amounting to seven thousand pesos (Php 7,000.00) provided to program participants pursuing the Employment Facilitation Track for the following purpose: a) processing of employment documentary requirements; b) for required medical exams; c) purchase of basic employment tools and materials; d) transportation and meal allowance, and board and lodging until the first 15 days of employment; and b) Skills Training Fund is a grant received by the program participants for his/her acquisition of technical and vocational knowledge and skills delivered in the form of orientations and lectures, demonstrations, and

other similar skills acquisition methodologies for the program participants. The grants cover the following components: a) technical- vocational skills training fee; b) meal, lodging, and transportation allowance; c) training supplies and materials; and d) program participants' assessment fee. A maximum amount of twenty-thousand pesos (Php 20,000.00) per program participant.

Sec. 8. Eligibility Requirements - Filipino individuals, households, and those in

the vulnerable, marginalized, and disadvantaged communities that are in need of livelihood assistance shall be eligible to participate in the program. Provided, that the 10 program participants are at least sixteen (16) years old, with a written legal consent 11 from the parents or legal guardians to participate in the Microenterprise Development 12 Track; and at least eighteen (18) years old upon employment, following legal employment standards, for Employment Facilitation Tracks.

Sec. 9. Beneficiaries of SLP - Eligible program participants may avail of the

modalities within the chosen track as needed for the microenterprise or employment facilitation. The following may avail of the livelihood program: a) Pre-identified participants through the use of approved identification tool/systems or a combination of the following: i) Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS); il) Other approved DSWD identification systems; and iii) SLP Eligibility Assessment and Profile Form. b) Disaster-affected participants by natural disasters and human induced hazards; c) Area-Based Convergence participants identified through formal agreement between DSWD and its internal or external partners or stakeholders; d) Referred participants to SLP by internal or external partners)/stakeholders, or walk-in clients; e) Previously served SLP program participants that have been served at least five (5) years ago from the time they receive the grants; and f) Associations registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), or Department of

Labor and Employment (DOLE), or those not initially organized by the SLP that are endorsed to the Program for livelihood assistance.

Sec. 10. Livelihood Sustainability Plan - The Sustainability Plan shall encompass

phases which include continuous monitoring of the livelihood projects, provision of 5 technical assistance, capability-building activities, partnership linkages, and additional 6 grant incentives for successful SLPAs until program graduation. The individual 7 livelihood projects and EF Track program participants will be monitored and provided technical assistance for one (1) year from the time they receive the grants before 9 being mainstreamed to the concerned LGUs.

Sec. 11. Grant Release - The Department of Social Welfare and Development

11 DSWD shall release livelihood assistance to eligible individual program participants and SLPAs through appropriate and secure disbursement mechanisms, which may include but are not limited to cash, electronic transfers, checks, or other digital or financial platforms deemed suitable by the Department. All disbursement modalities shall conform with existing government accounting, auditing, and procurement rules and regulations, and shall ensure timeliness, accessibility, transparency, and accountability in the use of public funds.

Sec. 12. Partnership Building - The DSWD shall link public and private partners

with SLP program participants to strengthen its implementation through the provision of complementary and/or supplementary interventions. The partnership building will sustain, provide funding support, link institutional markets, and develop community- based life skills and technical assistance to the livelihood projects. The DSWD shall encourage Local Government Units (LGUs) to integrate SLP implementation in their Local Development Plans, Annual Investment Programs, and Comprehensive Development Plans. LGUs are likewise encouraged to establish local SLP coordinating units or designate livelihood focal persons to ensure convergence, data-sharing, and efficient program delivery.

Sec. 13. Institutional Arrangements- The DSWD shall serve as the lead agency

for the central coordinating, planning, implementing, and monitoring body on the Program's overall management. The SLP National Program Management Office 31 (NPMO) shall have the steering and oversight functions and tasks while the SLP

1 Regional Program Management Office (RPMO) shall take charge in the implementation 2 of the Program stages. The Program shall assign Project Development Officers that shall serve as the 4 community facilitator responsible for identifying, organizing, capacitating the new program participants and shall validate the utilization of grants to ensure that the approved project has been duly implemented. A field monitoring Project Development 7 Officer shall be assigned to ensure that the modalities of assistance are sustained by 8 the program participants through the conduct of regular monitoring visits and assessments. The SLP NPMO shall perform and implement the following functions: a) Development and enhancement of Program policies, tools, and guidelines; b) Setting of performance standards and compliance monitoring; c) National Program Planning and Coordination; d) Human Resource Management and capacity-building for national and regional program personnel; e) National Program Budget Management; f) National Program Monitoring and Evaluation such as program milestones, accomplishments, results monitoring, and evaluation of program outcomes; and g) Other related tasks as required and necessary for the management of the Program. The SLP RPMO shall perform and implement the following functions: a) Full implementation of the Program Stages based on the approved process, timeline, and program implementation parameters; b) Compliance to implementation standards and policies; c) Beneficiary level monitoring and evaluation for technical assistance and reporting; d) Participation to human resource development and capacity-building sessions; e) Obligation and disbursement of funds; and f) Regional, provincial, and city/municipality level coordination.

Sec. 14. Regular Program Monitoring, Reporting, and Transparency - The

2 DSWD through the SLP NPMO and RPMO shall regularly monitor the implementation 3 of the Program and report its status in order to ensure the attainment of the goals 4 enumerated in this Act. The Program shall annually publish a full report of the SLP covering the implementation and accomplishments of the previous fiscal year. The said report shall 7 include the total number of households and individuals served, its physical and financial accomplishments, notable achievements, success stories, and list of 9 recommendations on how to further enhance the implementation of the SLP. The 10 report shall be published in the DSWD official website for transparency.

Sec. 15. Grievance Mechanism. A Grievance Mechanism shall be established at

the national, regional, and local levels to ensure that program participants and stakeholders may confidentially report complaints, allegations of political interference, exclusion, or misuse of funds. No individual shall be excluded from SLP participation on the basis of political affiliation, religion, ethnicity, or gender. The DSWD shall enforce administrative sanctions on personnel, officers, or local officials found to have influenced the selection of program participants for political purposes.

Sec. 16. Appropriations - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of

this Act shall be charged against those authorized in the current and subsequent General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 17. Oversight Committee - Upon the effectivity of this Act, a Congressional

23 Committee, hereafter referred to as the SLP's Oversight Committee is hereby constituted. The Committee shall be composed of members from the Committee on Poverty Alleviation, Committee on Labor and Employment, and Committee on Social Services. The oversight committee shall be chaired by the Chairperson of the Committee on Poverty Alleviation, while the Chairperson of the Committee on Social Services shall serve as co-chair of the Committee. Additional composition of the oversight Committee shall be within the purview of the legislative body. The Committee shall conduct periodic reviews to ensure the proper implementation of this Act as regards the expenditures of the earmarked funds, cost

1 parameters of the modalities, accomplishments of the Program, and the performance 2 of its implementing offices.

Sec. 18. Compliance to Data Privacy Act of 2012 - The DSWD SLP shall comply

with the provisions of Republic Act No. 10173 otherwise known as the Data Privacy 5 Act of 2012. Additionally, the Program shall further comply with the organizational, 6 physical, technical and security measures prescribed in the SLP Data Privacy Policy 7 and Sharing Protocol Manual.

Sec. 19. Data Sharing - Data sharing between government agencies for the

purpose of public function or provision of a public service shall be covered by a Data 10 Sharing Agreement; Provided, that the DSWD SLP shall comply with the provisions of 11 Republic Act No. 10173 otherwise known as the Data Privacy Act of 2012; Provided 12 further, that all information filed with the DSWD SLP, and other database system used by the DSWD shall be made available to the stakeholders, institution, government agencies, departments and non-government agencies, including obligations to protect personal data and information.

Sec. 20. Implementing Rules and Regulations - Within twelve (12) months from

the effectivity of this Act, the DSWD Secretary shall, in coordination with appropriate government Departments and Agencies with the participation of the local government units, promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 21. Convergence of Programs and Services for Livelihood Support - Within

the scope of social protection and national poverty alleviation strategies, stakeholders such as other National Government Agencies, the private sector, volunteer groups, the academe, among others, implementing multi-stakeholder programs and services for the poor and vulnerable, shall converge and complement the modalities offered by the DSWD SLP. Such convergence shall focus on the enhancement of operational efficiency, provision of additional financing, access to resources, enhancement of program modules and capability-building activities, and strengthening of external partnerships and linkages.

Sec. 22. Separability Clause - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or

unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions shall not be affected and shall remain valid and subsisting.

Sec. 23. Repealing Clause - Any law, Presidential Decree or issuance, Executive

2 Order, Letter of Instruction, Administrative Order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Sec. 24. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

complete publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general 7 circulation in the Philippines. Approved,