The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office XI announced the full-blown implementation of Project LAWA at BINHI (Local Adaptation to Water Access and Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished) this year in Davao region. Karen C. Gayonan, Focal person of Project LAWA at BINHI made the statements in an interview on Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on March 24, 2024.

 Project LAWA at BINHI aims to promote adaptation and mitigation of the effects of severe drought on local farmers through cash-for-work and cash-for-training within twenty (20) days.

“Kaning Project LAWA, kon Local Adaptation to Water Access, ginabuhat pinaagi sa pagkalot og small farms reservoirs (SFRs). Kauban niini ang BINHI kon Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished. Ang programa naga-focus sa pagpangandam sa epekto sa drought. This is to address economic vulnerability and sustainability while maximizing the limited resources nga naa sa komunidad, (Project LAWA or Local Adaptation to Water Access, is conducted through digging small farm reservoirs (SFRs). Together with BINHI or Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished, this program focuses on preparation for the effects of drought. It aims to address economic vulnerability and sustainability while maximizing limited resources within the communities),” said Gayonan.

She also emphasized that recipients of this program are not merely beneficiaries but partners who are responsible for sustaining the project. 

“They are our partners ug dili lang beneficiaries sa pag-implement aning programa kay i-turnover nato ni sa ilaha after the twenty (20) days na cash-for-work and training, (They are our partners and not mere beneficiaries in implementing this program because we will turn over the projects to them after the twenty (20) days cash-for-work and training),” added Gayonan.

To safeguard this project against potential abuse, Gayonan firmly stated that this program is output-based and strictly adhering to the guidelines.

“Our cash-for-work and training kay output-based. Kinahanglan adunay makita na physical accomplishment gikan sa atoang mga partner beneficiaries. Ginapakusgan usab og check ang attendance. Sa pag implement niini if si tatay dili maka adto karong adlawa pwede ang member sa iyahang pamilya ang magpuli, (Our cash-for-work and training is output-based. Physical accomplishment must be required from our partner beneficiaries. We strictly adhere to checking attendance. During the implementation, if the beneficiary cannot attend on a specific day, a member of his family must work on behalf of him),” she added.

During the pilot implementation of Project LAWA at BINHI, thirty (30) farmers’ associations from the Municipality of Laak, Compostela, and Monkayo accepted the challenge. As of now, DSWD Project LAWA at BINHI conducts strategic planning workshops while coordinating with the local government agencies in other potential implementing provinces. (DSWD FO XI/LJSB/EMCJr.)

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