DSWD launches Project ‘LAWA at Binhi’in Bulacan

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the municipal government of Doña Remedios Trinidad (DRT) recently signed a memorandum of agreement for project Local Adaptation to Water Access (LAWA) at Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished (Binhi) in Barangay Kalawakan in DRT, Bulacan.

Katrina Anne Balingit, head of the Bulacan Provincial Public Affairs Office, said on Wednesday, February 28, that the project, which was launched on February 22, seeks to address the effects of El Niño on impoverished and vulnerable sectors.

The joint project is under the Risk Resiliency Program Through Cash-For-Training and Work (RRP-CFTW) and it covers El Niño-affected provinces based on the Department of Science and Technology-Pagasa Climate Outlook as of November and December 2023.

Eligible for the project are the provinces and selected local government units (LGUs) implementing RRP-CFTW and top five LGUs with the highest percentage of poor listed under Listahanan 3.

Project LAWA at Binhi is seen as a proactive intervention and sustainable solution that will help address food security and water scarcity exacerbated by climate change and disasters.

Apart from DRT, Project LAWA at Binhi will also be introduced in other towns in Bulacan including Bocaue, Norzagaray, San Ildefonso, Santa Maria, Pandi and Plaridel.

In his message delivered by his representative, DSWD Undersecretary Diana Rose Cajipe, Secretary Rexlon “Rex” Gatchalian said that the sealed partnership ensures that vulnerable sectors will be prioritized during periods of water scarcity.

“The Memorandum of Understanding that we have signed symbolizes our unity in the distribution of social protection services to our fellow citizens in need, especially to Indigenous people, farmers, fishermen and other sectors who may be affected by drought conditions,” the DSWD secretary said.

He added that the service under the said program is in line with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Meanwhile, Gov. Daniel Fernando said in his message read by his chief of staff, Nikki Manuel Coronel, that the launching of Project LAWA at Binhi was a pivotal component in the formation of a safe, abundant and inclusive country.

Also present during the event were DRT Mayor Ronaldo Flores represented by his municipal administrator, Emilson de la Cruz; Assistant Regional Director Arthur Dayrit of DA; Maria Christine de Leon of the Department of the Interior and Local Government Central Luzon; Deputy Country Director Dipayan Bhattacharyya of the Philippines, United Nations’ World Food Program; Rep. Lorna Silverio; Board Member Liberato Sembrano; Norzagaray Mayor Ma. Elena Germar; Director Reynaldo Dingal of National Commission on Indigenous Peoples; IPMR Councilor Emelita Evangelista; Florinio Saplala, representative of Vice Gov. Alexis Castro; Assistant Secretary for Community Engagement Ulysses Hermogenes Casimiro Aguilar; Regional Director Venus Rebuldela; and Special Assistant to the Secretary for Special Projects Maria Isabel Lanada of DSWD.