The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) officially launched the Local Adaptation to Water Access and Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished (Project LAWA at BINHI) to mitigate the effects of El Niño on poor and vulnerable families.

The DSWD unveiled the Project LAWA at BINHI, which provides cash-for-work and cash-for-training to eligible beneficiaries, after signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with national government agencies and local government units (LGUs) on Feb. 22.

The project aims to strengthen impoverished and vulnerable families' adaptive capabilities during severe drought conditions, with a focus on reducing food insecurity and water scarcity caused by El Niño.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, in his message delivered by Undersecretary for Disaster Response Management Group Diana Rose Cajipe, said the implementation of Project LAWA at BINHI is in line with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 of the Marcos Administration.

The MOU was signed by DSWD, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Agriculture, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, and the United Nations World Food Programme.

“The memorandum of understanding that we have signed symbolizes our unity in the distribution of social protection services to our fellow citizens in need, especially to indigenous peoples, farmers, fishermen, and other sectors who may be affected by drought conditions,” Gatchalian said.

The project will be implemented in approximately 300 cities and municipalities across 58 provinces throughout the country.

Initially, 10 projects under the DSWD initiative are expected to be implemented in each of the target localities, with 50 partner-beneficiaries participating in cash-for-training and cash-for-work programs through the DSWD's Risk Resiliency Program.

Households headed by farmers, fishermen, indigenous peoples, and other families vulnerable to natural disasters and climate change are among the intended beneficiaries, as determined by Listahanan 3 or after approval and evaluation by the Local Social Welfare and Development Office.

For 10 to 25 days, each beneficiary will have the chance to take part in the cash-for-work and cash-for-training activities, and they will receive the daily wage that corresponds with the current regional daily minimum wage rate range in the project area.

The recipients will participate in water-saving initiatives, such as constructing small agricultural reservoir, maintaining multipurpose water infrastructure, restoring and mending water harvesting facilities, diversifying water sources, hydroponics, and aquaculture.

Others will take part in planting, community-based diversified integrated farming, school- and community-based vegetable gardening, urban gardening, and communal gardening.