Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 2580 
Introduced by HON. BRIAN RAYMUND S. YAMSUAN 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD PROGRAM 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article XII, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution declares that “The goals of the 
national economy are a more equitable distribution of opportunities, income, and 
wealth; a sustained increase in the amount of goods and services produced by the 
nation for the benefit of the people; and an expanding productivity as the key to raising 
the quality of life for all, especially the underprivileged.” Further, Article II, Section 9 
states that “The State shall promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure 
the prosperity and independence of the nation and free the people from poverty 
through policies that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a 
rising standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all.” 
Despite poverty reduction initiatives, millions of Filipinos continue to live below 
the poverty line. In 2023, the poverty incidence among families was recorded at 10.9% 
at the national level, translating to 2.99 million families with incomes falling below the 
poverty threshold.1 The poverty incidence among individuals residing in rural areas 
was recorded at 22.1% in 2023, which is higher than the poverty incidence of those in 
urban areas at 10.3%.2  
These figures underscore the urgent need for sustained and institutionalized 
programs that build the economic resilience of poor and marginalized communities. 
One proven strategy in addressing poverty is to capacitate individuals with the skills, 
assets, and knowledge necessary to build and sustain their own sources of income. 
1https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/phdsd/2023%20FY%20Official%20Poverty%20Statistics%20Pub
lcation_15August2024.pdf 
2 https://psa.gov.ph/statistics/poverty  
July 30, 2025
8:08 am


Livelihood development not only promotes self-sufficiency but also helps foster 
empowerment and long-term economic stability.  
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) implements the 
Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), which aims to improve the socio-economic 
conditions of poor and vulnerable Filipinos by supporting microenterprise 
development and employment facilitation.3 It is a program for building livelihood 
capabilities to establish and sustain thriving livelihood projects by providing necessary 
assets and skills development. Through the provision of seed capital, technical 
assistance, and skills training, the SLP enables individuals to transition into productive 
economic activities. 
Indeed, the SLP is a big help to various communities. For instance, in the 2nd 
District of Parañaque, the SLP is locally implemented through the Dagdag-Puhunan 
Para sa Kabuhayan Program, which provides each beneficiary with an initial amount 
of P15,000 as a start-up fund to help set up their own enterprise. One of many 
beneficiaries of this program involves a store owner from Barangay Marcelo Green 
who, through SLP, was able to expand her small store and support her child’s 
education. Another sari-sari store owner from Barangay Don Bosco was able to invest 
in a freezer for ice cream and soft drinks, which allowed her to grow her business and 
become a beverage supplier in her area. Stories like these serve as proof that the 
SLP is an effective tool in improving lives. Hence, we aim to build on the efforts already 
being undertaken by the government through the passage of this measure. 
Given the program’s necessity and its alignment with constitutional mandates, 
this bill seeks to institutionalize the SLP by enacting it into law. Doing so will ensure 
the program’s continuity and secure its regular funding through the General 
Appropriations Act. By investing in livelihood-building measures, the government can 
make meaningful strides in uplifting the lives of millions of Filipinos and in breaking 
the persistent cycle of poverty. 
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is earnestly sought. 
 BRIAN RAYMUND S. YAMSUAN 
       Representative 
    2nd District of Parañaque 
3 https://www.dswd.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/MC-No.-03-S-2025.pdf 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 2580 
Introduced by HON. BRIAN RAYMUND S. YAMSUAN 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD PROGRAM 
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 
Program (SLP) Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — The State recognizes the need for the 
equitable distribution of opportunities, income, and wealth and expanding productivity 
as essential to improving the quality of life, especially for the underprivileged. The 
State shall promote a just and dynamic social order that will free the people from 
poverty through policies that provide adequate social services and advance full 
employment. Toward this end, the State shall prioritize uplifting the socioeconomic 
conditions of the vulnerable, marginalized, and disadvantaged sectors of society by 
enhancing their access to resources, training, and support systems necessary for 
sustained and dignified livelihood. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act, the following terms are 
defined as follows: 
a. Employment Facilitation Track - refers to a track of the SLP that provides
assistance to SLP participants who prefer formal employment rather than
engaging in a microenterprise;
b. Microenterprise Development Track - refers to a track of the SLP that provides
financial capital and skills training for the establishment of a microenterprise;


 
c. Sustainable Livelihood Program - refers to the government’s national support 
program for building livelihood capabilities, implemented by the Department of 
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); 
d. Vulnerable, marginalized, and disadvantaged - refer to (a) individuals, 
households, or group of people who are considered economically, physically, 
and socially deprived or has inadequate means to protect themselves from the 
effects of external events (i.e. indigent children, out-of-school youth, persons 
with disabilities); (b) people excluded from useful and meaningful participation 
in political, economic, social, and cultural life; or (c) individuals, households, or 
groups of people who are at risk of falling below the poverty line or remaining 
in poverty when exposed to adverse conditions. 
 
SECTION 4. Eligibility. – The eligible participants of the SLP are the vulnerable, 
marginalized, and disadvantaged individuals, households, and communities that are 
in need of livelihood assistance. The SLP participants may include the following: 
 
a. Participants identified by the DSWD through the use of approved identification 
tools or systems, such as the Community-Based Monitoring System and the 
SLP Eligibility Assessment and Profile Form; 
b. Participants whose livelihood have been adversely affected by natural 
disasters or human-induced hazards; 
c. Participants identified through formal agreement between the DSWD and its 
internal or external partners;  
d. Participants referred to SLP by internal or external partners or stakeholders, or 
walk-in clients that shall be assessed using the approved identification tools or 
systems cited in item (a);  
e. Previous SLP participants who have been previously served at least five (5) 
years ago from the time they receive the grants but qualifies anew upon 
assessment;  
f. Endorsed members of existing associations registered with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission (SEC), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), or 
the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE); and 
g. Other participants to be assessed and determined by the DSWD. 
 
In addition, the SLP participant must be: 
a. At least sixteen (16) years old, with a written legal consent from the parent/s or 
legal guardian, to participate in the Microenterprise Development Track; or 
b. At least eighteen (18) years old upon employment, following legal employment 
standards, to participate in the Employment Facilitation Track. 
 
SECTION 5. Tracks and Modalities of Assistance. – The SLP shall cover two 
tracks: (1) Employment Facilitation Track; and (2) Microenterprise Development 
Track. 
 


 
The following are the modalities under the Employment Facilitation Track: 
a. Employment Assistance Fund - A grant of a maximum amount of Seven 
Thousand Pesos (PhP7,000) per SLP participant for pre-employment 
requirements and necessary provisions;  
b. Employment Skills Training Fund - A grant of a maximum of Twenty 
Thousand Pesos (PhP20,000) per SLP participant for the acquisition of 
technical and vocational knowledge and skills. 
 
The following are the modalities under the Microenterprise Development Track: 
a. Seed Capital Fund  - A grant of a maximum of Twenty Thousand Pesos 
(PhP20,000) per SLP participant, to be used as start-up capital for a 
microenterprise; 
b. Microenterprise Skills Training Fund - A grant of a maximum of Twenty 
Thousand Pesos (PhP20,000) per SLP participant for the acquisition of 
knowledge and skills necessary for the establishment and management of a 
microenterprise; 
c. Cash for Building Livelihood Assets Fund - A grant of 100% of the present 
regional standard minimum wage set by DOLE for a maximum of 11 days, as 
an allowance for SLP participants who have rendered work for labor-intensive 
projects to build, re-build, or protect natural and physical assets necessary for 
more profitable microenterprises. 
 
SECTION 6. Lead Agency. – The DSWD shall serve as the central planning, 
coordinating, implementing, and monitoring body of the SLP. The DSWD Field Offices 
shall serve as the primary implementers of the SLP. 
 
SECTION 7. Periodic Assessment. – Every three (3) years after the effectivity of this 
Act, the DSWD shall conduct a mandatory review and determine whether the amounts 
of the grants shall be adjusted, with the primary objective of ensuring that the amount 
is sufficient and reflective of current market prices. The DSWD shall also determine 
additional livelihood incentives to support and stimulate microenterprise development. 
 
The DSWD shall monitor the implementation of the SLP and report its status at least 
once every three (3) years to the House of Representatives and the Senate of the 
Philippines. 
 
SECTION 8. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the implementation of this 
Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the DSWD of the year following its 
enactment into law. Thereafter, sums necessary for the continued implementation of 
this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
 
SECTION 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The DSWD, in consultation 
with relevant government agencies, shall promulgate the implementing rules and 
regulations within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act. 


 
 
SECTION 10. Repealing Clause.— All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, 
superseded, or amended accordingly. 
 
SECTION 11. Separability Clause.— If any provision of this Act or the application of 
such provision to any person or circumstance is held invalid for any reason, the 
remainder of this Act or the application of such provision to other persons or 
circumstances shall not be affected thereby. 
 
SECTION 12. Effectivity.—This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general 
circulation, whichever comes earlier. 
 
Approved,