By Ezri M. Coda Jr.

In the face of impending water scarcity and the looming shadow of the El Niño phenomenon, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has embarked on a transformative journey in Davao Region through Project L.A.W.A (Local Adaptation to Water Access). Beyond infrastructure, this collaborative endeavor with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the United Nations World Food Program (UNWFP) together with the Local Government Units nurtures communities’ resilience, safeguarding agricultural vitality and the very essence of food security.

Rising to the challenge

As the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) issued the El Niño Alert Status, Project L.A.W.A emerged as a proactive response to the imminent threat. Commencing on August 31, 2023, the initiative became a beacon of hope, emphasizing local adaptation and unity in the face of adversity.

The carefully selected municipalities of Monkayo, Laak, and Compostela in Davao de Oro became the epicenter of this endeavor, chosen for the severity of the expected El Niño impact. Here, Project L.A.W.A’s pilot implementation aims not just to combat water scarcity but to safeguard the food security of vulnerable communities as well.

Empowering through collaboration

At the heart of Project L.A.W.A lies a community-centric approach. Marginalized communities, including farmers, and Indigenous Peoples (IPs), are not merely beneficiaries but active participants in the process. Through a Cash-for-Training and Work program, these communities are empowered to construct Small Farm Reservoirs (SFRs), designed to efficiently capture and store rainwater.

The turnover ceremonies in Monkayo, Laak, and Compostela marked more than infrastructure handovers; they symbolized a promise of sustenance. These SFRs emerged as lifelines for communities battling water scarcity during prolonged dry seasons. They became reliable sources of irrigation, nurturing not just agricultural growth but the essence of food security.

Cultivating resilience beyond agriculture

While the project bolsters agricultural resilience, its impact transcends the fields. Project L.A.W.A nurtures resilience in the form of food security, safeguarding not just crops but the sustenance of families. Community workshops, training sessions, and participatory planning activities serve as seeds of empowerment, equipping communities with tools and knowledge to manage water resources sustainably.

The recent review held in Davao City gathered insights and experiences from communities in Monkayo, Compostela, and Laak. These invaluable perspectives shape the roadmap for the full-scale implementation scheduled in 2024, ensuring a more robust, community-driven strategy.

LGUs’ allegiance to sustainability

With their resounding testament toward project sustainability, officials of local government units (LGUs) have embraced their role as custodians of the small farm reservoirs (SFR) initiatives. Their unwavering commitment echoes through the promises of their leaders, who stand resolute in safeguarding these projects and nurturing their hard-earned progress.

Mayor Antonio L. Libuangan of LGU Laak extends his heartfelt appreciation to the national government, particularly to DSWD for entrusting them with the pioneering implementation of Project LAWA. His unwavering pledge remains steadfast: To wholeheartedly support the continuous execution of Project LAWA within Laak, staunchly defending his community against the looming threats of an impending drought.

Meanwhile, Mayor Levi S. Ebdao of Compostela town asserts the protection and prosperity of the SFRs by introducing essential measures. Through provision of solar lights and distribution of tilapia fingerlings, he not only ensures additional income sources for the beneficiaries but also envisions the flourishing sustenance of the SFRs. Responding to the clamor from neighboring barangays, he embraces the opportunity to expand these initiatives, welcoming more SFRs into their municipality.

In a grand showcase of solidarity, Mayor Manuel E. Zamora of Monkayo LGU, as host of the national project launch, expressed profound gratitude for their selection as trailblazers in the country. With an unyielding commitment to excellence, he pledges to uphold the meticulous construction and enduring sustainability of the SFRs. Taking decisive action, he selected farmer organizations to dig the SFRs, cementing the bedrock of accountability in their endeavors.

A tapestry woven with hope

Project L.A.W.A stands as a testament to the transformative power of collaboration in safeguarding food security. In the reservoirs lies water and a promise of sustenance, resilience, and a future where every life is valued and nourished.

Amidst challenges, Project L.A.W.A emerges as a tapestry woven with hope. It stands tall as a beacon, illuminating a path toward a future where communities thrive, empowered by their resilience and unity.

Sama-sama tayong babangong muli tungo sa Bagong Pilipinas!

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