Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte – As part of the ongoing regionwide implementation of Project LAWA at BINHI under the DSWD Field Office XI’s Risk Resilience Program – Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Disaster Risk Reduction (RRP-CCAM-DRR) of the Disaster Response Management Division, a joint site validation and assessment were conducted on March 5, 2025, by the field implementation team in collaboration with the Municipal Technical Working Group (MTWG) of Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte.

Representing DSWD FO XI, PDO II Angelica M. Coda and PDO I John Vergil L. Salido, together with MSWDO Head Vivian Manile and the MTWG of Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte, assessed Brgy. Balagulan, Brgy. San Jose, Brgy. Kinamayam, and Brgy. New Katipunan as potential project sites.

The activity aimed to verify the suitability of the proposed sites for RRP-CCAM initiatives, ensuring they meet the necessary requirements for successful project implementation. It also aimed to identify potential obstacles, assess key concerns, and ensure legal compliance, which are essential for effective resource management and budget planning.

Findings from this site validation will guide the next phase of the project, ensuring that Project LAWA at BINHI initiatives are implemented efficiently and sustainably, ultimately strengthening the resilience of beneficiary communities.