Davao City, Philippines (May 16, 2024) – In a concerted effort to combat the effects of the El Niño phenomenon in the Davao Region, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office XI and the Department of Agriculture (DA) XI convened on May 16, 2024, to strategize the region-wide implementation of Project LAWA (Local Adaptation to Water Access) at BINHI (Breaking Insufficiency Through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished). This collaboration aims to map out resource convergence and optimize the impact of the initiative.
Key attendees at the meeting included Karen C. Gayonan, the Risk Resiliency Program (RRP) Focal at DSWD XI, and Rachel M. Guerrero, Social Work Officer (SWO III) from the Disaster Response Management Division (DRMD). Representing the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region XI was Marie Ann M. Constantino, the Regional Technical Director for Operations, Engr. Hazel May C. Castillon, Assistant Regional Agricultural Engineering Division Chief, and Engr. Yllor James A. Otero. The discussions focused on aligning their strategies, pooling resources, and enhancing collaborative efforts to benefit communities across the region.
The meeting underscored the critical importance of interagency cooperation to effectively implement Project LAWA at BINHI. This initiative, under the Risk Resiliency Program, seeks to tackle food insecurity and water scarcity by providing sustainable solutions. The collaboration is designed to fortify communities against the adverse effects of climate change and natural disasters.
Participants highlighted the need for a comprehensive resource assessment, including personnel, funding, equipment, and materials, to ensure the successful deployment of the project. DSWD XI and DA XI aim to maximize the project’s impact by identifying and efficiently allocating these resources, ensuring long-term sustainability and resilience for the region’s communities.
The fortified partnership between DSWD XI and DA XI marks a significant step towards a resilient and sustainable future for the Davao Region, demonstrating a unified commitment to addressing the challenges of climate change and disaster preparedness through innovative and community-driven approaches. (𝑫𝑺𝑾𝑫 𝑿𝑰 / 𝑹𝑺𝑫)
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