EASTERN SAMAR—The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has successfully distributed over PHP9 million to 1,327 individuals across four towns in Eastern Samar as part of its efforts to combat food insecurity and water scarcity through Project LAWA (Local Adaptation to Water Access) and BINHI (Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished).
According to Philippines News Agency, the financial aid was disbursed from July 17 to 19, rewarding participants for their involvement in a comprehensive program that included a five-day training and 15 days of labor in San Policarpo, Oras, Dolores, and Jipapad. Each beneficiary received PHP7,500 during the payout activities. The regional office of DSWD announced that the participants have completed all three phases of the projects, which encompassed learning and development sessions, actual work, and sustainability training aimed at ensuring the continued success of the initiatives.
The Project LAWA and BINHI, covering 20 towns across four provinces in the region, are part of a broader strategy by the DSWD to address environmental challenges through capacity building and infrastructure development. The projects include disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and the rehabilitation of water systems. They also promote food security through sustainable agricultural practices such as communal gardening, vermicomposting, and hydroponics.
Additionally, the DSWD ensures that each participant receives the daily minimum regional wage rate of PHP405 for their attendance and participation, emphasizing the importance of fair compensation in community-driven projects. The initiatives focus on enhancing water access and management, constructing small farm reservoirs, and promoting the adoption of climate-resilient agricultural techniques.
Priority for these projects is given to areas near river basins, regions vulnerable according to the climate outlook of the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, and locales with high concentrations of impoverished families, as per DSWD records.