GOVERNMENT AID. Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Soccsksargen region (DSWD-12) Regional Director Loreto Cabaya Jr. (center) poses with cooperative members in North Cotabato province, whose association received PHP300,000 livelihood package each under the agency's PAMANA program on Tuesday (Jan. 24, 2023). At least 49 cooperatives from the province benefited from the program. (Photo courtesy of DSWD-12). COTABATO CITY - The Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Soccsksargen Region (DSWD-12) has distributed financial aid to 49 cooperatives belonging to the Sustainable Livelihood Program Associations (SLPAs), an official said Wednesday. DSWD-12 Regional Director Loreto Cabaya said each cooperative received PHP300,000 assistance handed over during the payout program at the North Cotabato provincial capitol on Tuesday. "A good working relationship exists between DSWD-12 and the provincial government thus more Cotabatenos get help for livelihood enhancement," Cabaya said. Cabaya challenged the cooperative member-beneficiaries to make good of the government's intervention "and make it grow for the benefit of every member." Most of the beneficiaries, Cabaya said, have chosen to venture into general merchandising and agriculture-related enterprises. He said the coops all belong under the "Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan" program of the agency for conflict-vulnerable areas. The SLPAs were from far flung-communities of North Cotabato's municipalities of Alamada, Aleosan, Antipas, Arakan, Kidapawan, Magpet, Makilala, M'lang, Pigcawayan, President Roxas and Tulunan. (PNA) }