In the quiet town of Bustos, Bulacan, a group of neighbors-turned-farmers transformed a barren lot into a productive vegetable garden through the help of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Project LAWA (Local Adaptation to Water Access) at BINHI (Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished).

According to Tatay Juanito Reobaldo, the land owner and beneficiary of the project, his once-idle property became a beacon of productivity and hope for their community.

“Sa mahal ng gulay ngayon kinakailangan na umisip tayo ng paraan para makapagtanim ng halaman. Kahit anong gulay pwedeng itanim basta tumutubo, kaunting alaga lang, mura lang. Malaking kabawasan nila yun sa gastos,” Tatay Juanito said during an interview with the DSWD’s award-winning online documentary, ‘Kuwento ng Pag-Asa at Pagbabago (KPAP).’

His belief in the value of farming resonated with the DSWD’s vision for Project LAWA and BINHI. The project was launched to combat the effects of climate change and to mitigate 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.

“Una po nito ay nagsagawa muna ng training with the regional office po ng DSWD and then yung second day in-invite po namin yung municipal agriculture po para magbigay ng mga tips and then mga guides po sa tamang paghahalaman o pag-gugulay po dito sa amin,” Municipal Social Welfare and Development (MSWD) Focal Person Joen Eugenio told KPAP.

Clearing the vacant lot and transforming it into a vegetable garden was no small feat. The participants labored 20 days of cash-for-work under the sun, cutting tall grasses and digging irrigation systems to sustain the crops.

The seedlings and fertilizers, provided by the agriculture office, were complemented by contributions from the beneficiaries themselves, creating a shared sense of ownership and pride.

For Tatay Juanito and his community members, the success of the project lies in its sustainability. They ensured that a water source at the edge of the farmland can be easily accessed for irrigation during dry seasons, while natural pest control methods—including recycled plastic bottles—and organic fertilizers further support the project’s eco-friendly approach.

When asked how they were able to sustain the project, beneficiary Cristina Dionisio pointed out that it was a collaborative effort of all the participants.

“Nag-start po kami noong July 20, 2024. Hanggang sa loob po ng 20 days, yun po yung binaba sa amin, pero po after po noon dire-diretso pa rin po namin at pinagtutulungan ng mga miyembro na maging maganda at maayos po ang aming mga pananim. Malaking bagay po talaga. Malaking tulong po sa amin,” Cristina shared to KPAP.

Meanwhile, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer  Debbie Lyn Bustamante said the program really helped ensure food security in the community.

“Nakatulong sya kasi pagdating sa food security. So, iyon yung number one na nakatulong sa mga Bustoseño kasi ikaw na yung nagtanim, ikaw rin yung kumain nung itinanim mo so malaking tulong sya sa family,” Debbie Lyn explained to the online documentary.

Currently, the beneficiaries were able 8to harvest various produce such as talong (eggplant), sili (chilli pepper), patola (sponge gourd), sitaw (stringbeans),  mustasa (mustard) and okra.

As the project continues, the beneficiaries of Bustos town envision a future where their community continues to thrive through agriculture.

“Malaki ang pasasalamat ko sa DSWD dahil sa programa nila. Malaking tulong ang nagagawa maging sa mga nagsipagtrabaho riyan nagkaroon sila ng hanapbuhay kahit kaunti nabahaginan sila. Malaking bagay sa kanila yun kaya malaki ang aking pasasalamat sa inyong mga namumuno,” Tatay Juanito said.

The success of Project LAWA and BINHI in Bustos is proof that sustainable solutions to complex challenges are possible when community members come together.

The #KPAP bagged the Public Service Campaign – National Level Award in the first-ever ‘Parangal: Gawad ng Kahusayan sa Komunikasyong Pampubliko’ sponsored by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) and held this December.

The #KPAP is a joint production of the Traditional Media Service (TMS) and the Digital Media Service (DMS) under the Strategic Communications Group. It is hosted by TMS Director Aldrine Fermin. (AKDL)