The Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) kicked off 2026 by prioritizing the well-being of its staff and field implementers. Held for three days at the Waterworld Hotel in Mandaue City, the sessions focused on professional growth, mental health, and holistic wellness.

Rolando “Dem” Mina Mamaat, PhD, whose engaging delivery kept participants fully immersed, facilitated the sessions. For many, the gathering served as a vital “reset” following a year marked by successive regional calamities that took an emotional and physical toll on the team.

Everybody agrees that the activity is a fresh start to the year. It serves as a reset from last year’s challenging implementation due to the successive calamities the region encountered, and it has affected everyone emotionally, physically, and psychologically.

Some field PDOs express their gratitude to the program for conducting this kind of session. “This training is essential to the field of PDOs, especially since they will be dealing with the communities, balancing fieldwork, deliverables, and everything that comes with the job,” shares Leodegario Canda, Project Development Officer II and district leader in Cebu City.

“In the field, we encounter a lot of stressors, and many times, it is beyond the PDO’s limit, but with these sessions, I know now how to avoid getting burned out,” expresses Niljohn Ascares, a field PDO assigned in Lapu-Lapu City. Ascares added that the inputs shared by Dr. Mamaat are relatable.

The third day’s activity focused on self-renewal. It started with a morning Zumba workout to shake off the negative energies and get the blood flowing. Once the physical energy was high, the group transitioned into a powerful session on emotional resilience: “From Broken to Beautiful: Strengthening Mental Fortitude.” The activity’s impact was evident in the staff’s positive reviews. There was a collective sense of appreciation for SLP’s thoughtful planning, with many participants calling for Dr. Mamaat to return for regular follow-up sessions.

Luis Gimarangan expresses that “I have many takeaways that could help a lot in my job and in my personal life, one of which is that we need to be excellent at whatever we do.” Most participants thanked the speaker for accepting the SLP’s invitation and for providing light and relief to the stresses that the field staff have been experiencing. They hoped to have him as a resource speaker for the next training.

Dr. Mamaat also thanked the DSWD for the opportunity to share and impart his knowledge to the SLP staff. He also reminded the participants that when they return to their assignments, “self-care muna bago ang iba.” He encouraged them to prioritize healthcare before providing care or service to others. The SLP commits to providing and ensuring their well-being. ###