The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is planning to bring the benefits of its risk-resiliency projects to more communities by next year, through the Project LAWA (Local Adaptation to Water Access) at BINHI (Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished).

From 310 cities and municipalities in 61 provinces for the year 2024, the Project LAWA and BINHI will expand its reach and cater to 323 are in 67 provinces by 2025, according to Special Assistant to the Secretary (SAS) for Special Projects Maria Isabel Lanada.

“Dadami na po ang target provinces and LGUs natin, kung this year ay 310 cities and municipalities from 61 provinces, itataas na po natin ito next year sa 323 cities and municipalities sa 67 provinces,” SAS Lanada told reporters at the DSWD Thursday Media Forum on Thursday (December 5) at the DSWD Central Office’s New Press Center in Quezon City.

SAS Lanada said this expansion is responsive to the climate outlook of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) which reported an increased number of provinces, cities, and municipalities that may be potentially affected by the El Nino and La Nina.

While the allotted fund for Project LAWA at BINHI for the year 2025 stands at Php1.4 billion and did not increase from the previous year, SAS Lanada said the agency is motivated to ensure that no communities in need will be left behind.

The institutionalization of the twin projects is now being pushed as it presents a proactive intervention and sustainable solution to combat hunger, poverty while alleviating the impact of weather phenomenon and climate change.

“Actually si Secretary Rex, last year pa gusto niya ma-institutionalize kasi nga climate change is real, hindi yan kumokonti eh irreversible na ang damage sa Earth, at ang pinaka-apektado, poorest of the poor,” SAS Lanada told reporters.

SAS Lanada emphasized that the need to expand the scope of climate-change responsive projects like Project LAWA at BINHI is crucial, as the wrath of climate change emerges more evident.

The unusual number of successive storms that hit the country in the past month is among the ‘obvious signs’, SAS Lanada said.

“Ang mundo natin ay sobrang init na at ang ahensya natin ay isa sa mga dapat kumilos. Sabi nga ni Secretary Rex dapat gumalaw ang ahensya para mag-contribute tayo doon sa pag-lessen ng adverse impact ng climate change and disasters,” SAS Lanada explained.

The Project LAWA and BINHI is designed to maintain agricultural productivity during dry periods and to manage excess water during periods of heavy rainfall associated with the La Niña. It includes building and rehabilitation of water harvesting systems and gardening projects.

The project is among the innovations of the DSWD that focuses on mitigating the impact of food insecurity and water scarcity caused by the El Niño while preparing for the potential effects of the rainy season.

The LAWA at BINHI also contributes to raising awareness on climate change and ways to mitigate its adverse impact, particularly through its Cash-for-Training/Work (CFT/W) inclusive of training on disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and practical skills gardening and water harvesting. # (LSJ)

 

Tagalog Version

 

Project LAWA at BINHI ng DSWD mas palalawakin sa 2025

Mas palalawakin pa ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) ang programang LAWA (Local Adaptation to Water Access) at BINHI (Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished) upang mas marami pang komunidad ang makinabang sa proyekto.

Mula sa kasalukuyang bilang na 310 cities and municipalities sa may 61 na lalawigan, ang Project LAWA at BINHI ay inaasahang madadagdagan sa susunod na taon.

“Dadami na po ang target provinces and LGUs natin, kung this year ay 310 cities and municipalities from 61 provinces, itataas na po natin ito next year sa 323 cities and municipalities sa 67 provinces,” sabi ni Special Assistant to the Secretay (SAS) for Special Projecta Maria Isabel Lanada sa ginanap na DSWD Thursday Media Forum sa New Press Center .

Sabi pa ni SAS Lanada ang pagpapalawak ay naaayon sa climate outlook ng Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) kung saan iniulat na tumaas ang bilang ng mga lalawigan na maaaring tamaan ng El Nino at La Nina.

Sa kabila naman ng pananatili ng pondo nito sa Php 1.4 billion para ngayong 2025 kaparehas ng budget allocation nitong 2024, umaasa si SAS Lanada na maisasakatuparan pa rin ang mga balakin ng ahensya para sa proyekto.

“Actually si Secretary Rex, last year pa gusto niya ma-institutionalize kasi nga climate change is real, hindi yan kumokonti eh irreversible na ang damage sa Earth, at ang pinaka-apektado, poorest of the poor,” sabi pa ni SAS Lanada .

Samantala, ipinaliwanag ni SAS Lanada ang kahalagahan ng pagpapalawak ng Lawa at Binhi dahil sa lumalalang epekto ng climate change.

Isa aniya sa patunay at senyales ng paglala ng climate change ay ang madalas na pagdating ng mga malalakas na bagyo.

“Ang mundo natin ay sobrang init na at ang ahensya natin ay isa sa mga dapat kumilos. Sabi nga ni Secretary Rex dapat gumalaw ang ahensya para mag-contribute tayo doon sa pag-lessen ng adverse impact ng climate change and disasters,” sabi ni SAS Lanada.# (MVC)