In the rural community of Barangay Tubectubang in Moncada, Tarlac, the members of the Camoncadaan Farmers Association Inc. were able to utilize the opportunities provided by the Project LAWA (Local Adaptation to Water Access) and BINHI (Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to create sustainable agricultural opportunities and enhance their food security.

Project LAWA and BINHI is among the DSWD’s innovations 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.

Bobby Novida, a former overseas Filipino worker (OFW) and now president of the association, is one of the beneficiaries of the program. With years of hard work abroad, Bobby saved enough to purchase a four-hectare piece of farmland, where he is now using 2,500 square meters specifically for Project LAWA and BINHI.

Bobby shared that, at first, he has no idea what the project is, but because of the support and encouragement from their local chief executive and municipal officials, he started learning from training sessions on organic agriculture and that is when he realized the potential of the project.

Through the help of their municipal officials, the association became a beneficiary of Project LAWA and BINHI in the first semester of 2024.

“Ang Camoncadaan Farmers Association ay natatag po noong September 25, 2019 kaya po limang taon na po yung association po namin. Unang una talaga, wala akong ideya kumbaga zero knowledge ako rito sa Project LAWA…kaya po noong nag-seminar, doon po natuto ako,” Bobby shared during an interview for the DSWD’s Mga Kwento ng Pag-Asa at Pagbabago (#KPAP), the Strategic Communications group’s online documentary.

Bobby has generously offered his land for free to be cultivated by the members of their association for the next ten years, or even beyond if necessary.

“Kahirapan po noong time na ‘yon eh. Kumbaga walang pagkukunan yung mga tao. Parang nakapagbigay kami ng trabaho sa kanila. Ngayon po yung kita, iniipon para kapag po may project po kami dito, yun po yung ginagamit namin,” explained Bobby on his reason for helping his fellow farmers.

“Nung una po 90 talaga kami dito. Lahat po iyon nakinabang.Gawa po na maraming trabaho na, hindi na po nagagawi rito. Pero yung kita po na ano, mayroon pa rin sila…nag-aaverage ng 5,000 monthly. Pinaka-extra po ng bawat isa,” Bobby shared on their earnings from organic farming.

Members of the association were also encouraged to harvest their crops from their farm for their daily meals. Among the fruits and vegetables that they can gather were eggplant, tomatoes, winged beans, cucumber, grapes, water melon, and pepper, among many others.

According to the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office of Moncada, Tarlac, the association was chosen as a beneficiary of the DSWD project because of their commitment to organic farming.

“Siguro po yung isang factor po don yong pagiging MAFC ko, Municipal Agriculture Fishery Chairman. Sa buong Tarlac po kasi nagpo-promote po kami ng organic. Gusto namin makita na yung community namin safe sa mga kinakain. Ito na siguro yung chance ko na ipakita sa community ko na itong LAWA at BINHI namin sa bata man, sa matanda,” Bobby pointed out.

Sustainable farming has also been a guiding principle for Bobby so he invested in solar panels to power the farm and focused on organic methods to ensure clean and healthy produce not only for their members, but also for the students and teachers of Demetrio F. Nagtalon Integrated School, a nearby school in their farm.

“Actually ito talaga malaking tulong po sa community namin. Yung ginagamit na pang-feeding sa school dito po. Alam nila na chemical-free. Hindi po basta-basta nag-i-ispray kami dito. Kapag po nagpupunta dito yung mga taga-diyan sa school, pick and pay na lang po sila,” said Bobby.

At the center of the farm is a 21-foot fishpond that serves as a breeding ground for well-known fish species such as hito, bangus, bulig, and dalag. The fishpond provides additional income and food for the community.

Sharon Soriano, a member of the Camoncadaan Farmers Association Inc., said she is grateful for the positive impact brought by Project LAWA and BINHI to their members.

“Malaking tulong po sa amin itong Project LAWA at BINHI kasi nasusustain nila, nabibigyan nila kami ng aming mga pangangailangan sa pagkain. Syempre yung mga gulay po rito tapos yang mga lawa dyan may isda naman yan. Tapos isa pa po yung ginagawa namin may cash-for-work naman po ito. Malaking tulong din po lalo na sa akin na ginamit ko po na pambili ng gamit ng mga anak namin sa pagpasok. Kaya napakalaking bagay po yung naitulong ng Project LAWA at BINHI sa amin. Financially po at sa pagkain namin,” Sharon shared.

With the DSWD’s support, the Camoncadaan Farmers Association is planning to expand their farm to accommodate more produce.

“Maraming salamat po sa DSWD sa pagbibigay po sa amin ng Project LAWA at BINHI at naipakita namin yung kakayahan ng Camoncadaan Farmers Association kung paano po namin kayang alagaan at pagandahin ang mga project para po sa komunidad,” Bobby said.

Project LAWA and BINHI was cited by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr in his 3rd State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 22, prompting DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian to say that “our small idea has become a SONA program.”

The #KPAP is hosted by Traditional Media Service (TMS) Director Aldrine Fermin and posted every Tuesday on the DSWD’s official Facebook page. (AKDL)