With the goal of empowering vulnerable communities and boosting local livelihoods, the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office XI (DSWD-FO XI), in partnership with the City Technical Working Group (CTWG), conducted a Joint Site Validation and Assessment on March 18, 2025, in Sitio Pagsilaan, Don Enrique, Mati City.

The activity is part of the Risk Resiliency Program – Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation (RRP-CCAM), specifically under Project LAWA at BINHI. This program aims to help communities adapt to climate change by promoting sustainable environmental practices and providing diverse sources of income.

For many residents of Sitio Pagsilaan, the initiative offers new opportunities for stability and growth. Local farmers’ associations are expected to benefit from support that strengthens their livelihoods and encourages care for the environment.

Ras N. Landigan, Project Development Officer II and CCAM Implementer from DSWD-FO XI, led the site validation along with CTWG members: Cristyl May Luzon (CSWDO Alternate Focal), John Rex M. Mapando (CDRRMO), April Karl L. Domogho (BFAR XI – Davao Oriental), Nicolas Penaranda (CAGRO Fisheries), and City Information Office representatives Albert Louie Villar Jr. and Michael Winston O. Espinoza.

The team assessed the readiness of the proposed sites, checking if they meet technical requirements and community needs. They also looked into possible issues, such as land use or access problems, that could affect the project’s rollout.

By focusing on farmers and fisherfolk, the program shows the government’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable development. It ensures that those most affected by climate change are given the resources to recover, adapt, and thrive.

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