Three Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Self-Help Groups in Sierra Bullones, Bohol, received funds for their Enhanced Support Services Intervention (ESSI) project.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 7—Central Visayas allocated PHP 660,000, with each group receiving PHP 220,000 as a revolving fund for their chosen project. Each group has 20 members, and all are 4Ps partner-beneficiaries.

The first group is the Bininti-an Bugsoc United Parents for Sustainable Livelihood Association (BIBU-UPSULA), which opened its store on March 28, 2025. The association has engaged in rice and animal feed retailing. It also produces liquid detergent, liquid dishwashing, and fabric conditioner.

“Gipili kini namo nga proyekto kay kini maoy gikinahanglan sa among komunidad diri sa Bininti-an Bugsoc. Dako kini og gitabang tungod kay nakahatag og dugang nga panginabuhian sa matag miyembro sa among grupo (We have chosen this project because this is needed in our community here in Bininti-an Bugsoc. This is already a big help to us because it serves as an additional livelihood income to every member in the group),” said Cecil Valmoria, the Chairperson of the BIBU-UPSULA.

She added that their neighbors no longer spend transportation costs to go to the town proper to purchase items because they already have their store that caters to their basic needs, such as rice and other commodities for daily consumption.

Another group is the Anibongan United Parents for Sustainable Livelihood Association (AUPSULA), which selected rice and feed retailing. It opened its store on April 8, 2025.

The last group, the Man-od Pantawid Livelihood Association (MAPALIA), also chose a rice and feed retailing business and recently opened their store on June 25, 2025.

DSWD Field Office 7, municipal officials of Sierra Bullones, and barangay officials from their respective barangays graced the store opening of each association.

The DSWD’s ESSI aims to provide supplementary interventions to the 4Ps partner beneficiaries, especially those who belong to the indigenous peoples (IP), homeless families, and other vulnerable groups like farmers, fishermen, and those living in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs), to be able to meet their basic needs through convergence of programs and services and to ensure that they will comply with the different conditionalities of the 4Ps.

The ESSI funds are considered a revolving fund. The chosen projects serve as a platform to empower 4Ps self-help groups by establishing or strengthening their own organized People Organizations (PO). By empowering them, they take charge of their development, leading to long-term and positive results for themselves, their families, and their communities.

The ESSI projects range from eco-cultural livelihood assistance, income generation projects, community and youth development projects, small-scale community projects, alternative family homes, and cash-for-work. ###