Quality of Training and Management Practices as Key Drivers of Livelihood Sustainability in DOLE-Assisted Projects in a Municipality in Bukidnon

Abstract

Livelihood programs in the Philippines aim to empower beneficiaries to establish microenterprises and improve socio-economic conditions. Despite these interventions, sustaining livelihood projects remains a persistent challenge due to beneficiaries’ limited managerial skills and inconsistent access to high-quality training. Studies show that deficiencies in financial and managerial competencies can hinder the long-term success of livelihood initiatives, particularly among small-scale and community-based enterprises (Nunnally & Bernstein, 1994; Sachs, 2015). However, existing literature has largely focused on program outputs, with limited examination of how the quality of training and management practices influences long-term sustainability outcomes.
Anchored on Becker’s Human Capital Theory (Becker, 2018), this study assessed the quality of training and management practices among beneficiaries of a government-assisted livelihood project in a municipality in Bukidnon and examined their influence on livelihood sustainability. Using a quantitative, descriptive-correlational design, data were collected from 154 beneficiaries via a factor-analyzed, researcher-modified survey questionnaire and analyzed using means, standard deviations, and multiple linear regression.
Findings revealed high levels of perceived effectiveness and relevance of training, indicating that participants viewed it as practical, skill-enhancing, and aligned with their livelihood activities. Management practices, including monitoring, financial record-keeping, and technical support, were also rated highly, indicating effective program implementation and ongoing guidance. Multiple regression analysis showed that both training quality and management practices significantly influence livelihood sustainability, with management practices emerging as the stronger predictor.
It is recommended to strengthen post-training support mechanisms, enhance monitoring and evaluation systems, and improve organizational and financial management practices. Future researchers are encouraged to examine additional factors such as market access, entrepreneurial competencies, social support, and financial resources, and to replicate similar studies in other localities to validate and expand these findings. These insights provide a foundation for policy refinement and program enhancement of government-assisted livelihood initiatives.