BICOL REGION — The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol (DSWD-5) has successfully concluded its Project LAWA at BINHI, aimed at enhancing local adaptation for water access and addressing food insufficiency. This initiative, in collaboration with 12 local government units (LGUs) across the region, focused on developing sustainable solutions to ensure water and food security.
According to Carl James Cabarles, the information officer for DSWD-5's disaster risk reduction and management division, the project completion involved three main stages. These included a learning and development session, a cash-for-work program, and training focused on project sustainability. "The 12 partner LGUs with the partner beneficiaries have completed projects related to ensuring water sufficiency and food security in their areas. We have a total of 3,642 partner beneficiaries that will receive PHP7,900 each for the 20-day cash for training and work," Cabarles explained during an interview on Monday.
The LGUs involved in this program include Caramoran, Gigmoto, Viga, and Bagamanoc in Catanduanes; Magallanes, Pilar, Casiguran, Donsol, and Castilla in Sorsogon; and Balud, Batuan, and Pio V. Corpus in Masbate province. The initiatives executed by the beneficiaries ranged from constructing small farm reservoirs to the repair of water-impounding facilities and the development of multipurpose water infrastructure.
In addition to water projects, DSWD-5 also focused on enhancing food security through school-based and community-based gardening and the planting of disaster-resilient crops and fruit-bearing trees. Cabarles emphasized that these efforts are not only immediate responses but also long-term strategies to mitigate the impacts of potential adversities like La Niña, ensuring that vulnerable communities have sustainable solutions during times of disaster.