The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its Field Office IV-A, and eight local government units (LGUs) in Batangas Province are already preparing for the implementation of the Risk Resiliency Program thru Project LAWA at BINHI* that will benefit 1,400 community residents this 2025. 

Last February 14, the DSWD conducted an orientation with members of the technical working group of the provincial government composed of representatives form the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, Office of Provincial Agriculture, Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office, and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. The orientation was also attended by representatives from the implementing LGUs of Balayan, Laurel, Lian, Lobo, Rosario, Padre Garcia, Taysan, and Tuy.

During the orientation, the LGUs were guided into preparing the requirements for the implementation, especially that five of these LGUs will be implementing the program for the first time.

The LGUs of Lian, Rosario, and Taysan had already implemented the program last year.

For this year’s implementation, partner-beneficiaries will be engaged in cash-for-training and cash-for-work for projects addressing the effects of climate change such as food insufficiency and water scarcity.

Some of the projects eyed to be implemented include the establishment or enhancement of community gardens and development or restoration of water harvesting facilities among others. [with reports from JSEspinosa]

*Project LAWA at BINHI (Local Adaptation to Water Access and Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished