Sustainability Challenges Among Sustainable Livelihood Program Associations of Department of Social Welfare and Development: Basis for Intervention Program

Abstract

Livelihood interventions can strengthen the economic resilience of low-income communities, but the continuity of association-based enterprises depends on sustained organizational, marketing, financial, and institutional support. This study examined the sustainability challenges encountered by Sustainable Livelihood Program Associations (SLPAs) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Catarman, Camiguin and developed an intervention program based on the findings. The study used a descriptive survey design supplemented by key informant interviews. The respondents were 300 purposively selected members of active group microenterprise associations funded from 2015 to 2020. Data were analyzed using frequency count, percentage, weighted mean, standard deviation, analysis of variance, t-test, Tukey post hoc comparison, and ranking. Most respondents belonged to retail and trading associations (63.00%), reported monthly association income below PHP 5,000 (59.00%), came from households with two to five members (59.67%), and represented associations operating for four to six years (97.00%). Sustainability challenges were encountered to a moderate extent in government and stakeholder support (M = 2.64), marketing management (M = 2.56), and organizational management (M = 2.52), while financial-management challenges were encountered to a lesser extent (M = 2.24). Significant differences were found according to livelihood type, F(2, 297) = 3.53, p = .03, and association monthly income, F(2, 297) = 6.55, p = .002, but not according to household size, t(298) = 0.21, p = .834. The most frequently practiced coping mechanisms were saving a portion of earnings, promoting products through social media, and closely monitoring business expenses. The findings support an intervention program focused on financial literacy, digital marketing, mentoring, market access, and stronger inter-agency support.