The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is right on track in building disaster-resilient communities through the innovative Project LAWA (Local Adaptation to Water Access) and BINHI (Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished).
Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) said the agency is not just preparing in terms of immediate relief assistance during emergencies but also empowering vulnerable communities with long term solutions to enable them to build disaster-resilient communities.
“Dito sa DSWD meron tayo yong tinatawag nating Project LAWA and BINHI na gumagamit ng nature-based solutions and community-driven development para maturuan ang ating mga kababayan na vulnerable sa mga hazards na makabuo ng solutions na mag-provide ng long term assistance at di lamang po dapat umasa sa government immediate relief,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao told reporters at the Saturday (July 5) News Forum at the Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City.
Asst. Secretary Dumlao, who is also the DSWD spokesperson, shared to the media the recent visit of Secretary Rex Gatchalian to a Project LAWA and BINHI site in San Luis town in Pampanga.
“Nakita po natin doon na ang mga communities na naturuan maggawa ng community farming at yong isang water source na nag cause ng pagbaha sa kanilang barangay ay nilinis nila at ginawang taniman ng kangkong at meron na rin palaisdaan doon saka community garden na may iba’t-ibang gulay,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao explained.
The DRMG official said the community, with the initiatives that they have established through the Project LAWA and BINHI have enabled them to thrive even when disasters occur.
“Meron silang source of food dahil they can harvest their produce at yan ang kanilang niluluto and anything in excess ay binebenta nila at pinaghahatian ng mga miyembro ng community,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao pointed out.
With this, the DSWD spokesperson reiterated that while the agency provides immediate relief, it also enables the creation of sustainable food supply for disaster vulnerable populations.
The Project LAWA and BINHI, which started in 2023, is a DSWD innovation under Secretary Rex Gatchalian, which is designed to ensure that agricultural productivity continues during droughts or dry periods and even on days with extreme heavy rainfall.
The project is one of the DSWD’s development programs that focuses on addressing the impact of climate change to the vulnerable groups. (MBM)