July 09, 2025 – A total of 14,960 residents in 41 localities in the CALABARZON Region are engaged by the DSWD in building disaster-resilient communities under the Risk Resiliency Program through Project LAWA at BINHI. As of June 30, 2025, these residents are in different stages of the 20-day program implementation. 

These stages include cash-for-training covering topics on disaster preparedness and climate change adaptation and mitigation, cash-for-work for the establishment of community projects responding to food insecurity and water insufficiency, and cash-for-training for sustainability planning.

The Project LAWA at BINHI (Local Adaptation to Water Access and Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished) capacitates and engages residents in developing and sustaining projects that would help address food insecurity and water insufficiency in their communities. The program is implemented through a cash-for-training and cash-for-work scheme to also help residents gain a temporary source of income for their families. 

Included in the community projects of the residents are vegetable gardens, fish ponds, and small farm reservoirs among others.

“Ito po ay ipagpapatuloy namin para umasenso at lumago at marami pa ang makinabang. Dito sa Project LAWA at BINHI, alam namin na may mapagkukunan kami [ng pagkain] dahil merong aanihin na mga pananim,” shared Ruben Latosa, a farmer from Brgy. Bilog, Alfonso, Cavite, who was engaged in the completion of various projects in the town.

Julius Lara, a farmer and solo parent from Brgy. Udia, Cavinti, Laguna, also shared his gratitude to the program.

“Darating ang araw na hindi na kami bibili, ang kakainin namin ay fresh na fresh at mula talaga sa harvest namin,” Lara shared.

At the end of the engagement of the residents to the 20-day program, they will receive PhP 10,400, or equivalent to PhP 520 per day, which they can use to augment their income and meet the needs of their families.

As of June 30, a total of 9 localities have completed the Project LAWA at BINHI cycle. Meanwhile, the rest of the localities are expected to complete their community projects during the third quarter of the year. [with reports from MPPrecilla / MPBOrdoveza / ALSamsoden]