CALAMBA CITY, Laguna (PIA) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Calabarzon continues to mobilize members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in its efforts to mitigate the erratic effects of climate change.
One of these initiatives is the Project Local Adaptation to Water Access (LAWA) and Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished (BINHI), which aim to combat hunger and reduce the economic vulnerability of communities by addressing water scarcity and food insecurity worsened by natural disasters, particularly those linked to climate change.
Across various provinces in the Calabarzon region, the DSWD has implemented cash-for-work activities under the Risk Resiliency Program through Projects LAWA and BINHI.
Jasmin Lirio, a parent leader of the 4Ps in Rosario, Batangas, shared that 400 individuals from their community have begun participating in a communal garden project.
In a Facebook post, Lirio said the program benefits them by supporting environmental efforts while also providing financial assistance for daily needs.
“As a member of [4Ps], I am grateful—along with my fellow members—to everyone behind the LAWA and BINHI Projects for including us in this initiative. We will continue to dedicate ourselves and offer our support to the programs of the DSWD,” Lirio said.
She emphasized that the project plays a crucial role in building climate- and disaster-resilient communities by promoting local adaptation strategies that improve water access and increase food production through sustainable farming practices.
“The project is a huge help because Project LAWA and BINHI aim to build climate- and disaster-resilient communities by establishing water systems and gardening projects to address the challenges of drought and heavy rains.”
In Montalban, Rizal, 100 residents have recently expressed interest in joining the program. Meanwhile, in Batangas, participants will undergo a 20-day training and work on establishing communal gardens and rehabilitating or installing small farm reservoirs. (CO/PIA-4A; with reports from DSWD Region IV-A)
