Strengthening food security while empowering communities to become more climate-resilient remains at the heart of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Project Local Adaptation to Water Access (LAWA) and Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished (BINHI) – a flagship initiative that continues to broaden its reach across vulnerable communities throughout the country.

In the province of Marinduque, the initiative is gaining momentum as more municipalities join the program, allowing hundreds of residents to participate in livelihood-building activities that promote sustainable agriculture and improved water access.

Earlier last February, the DSWD Field Office (FO) MIMAROPA allocated 350 slots for the province, allowing residents to participate in the program’s cash-for-work (CFW) and cash-for-training (CFT) initiatives.

The program slots were allocated among three municipalities: 150 for Buenavista, and 100 each for Santa Cruz and Boac, in recognition of their active participation and proven effectiveness in implementing the program.

With these initiatives, participants can contribute to community-based projects that strengthen food production and water management while earning additional income for their families.

According to the DSWD spokesperson Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao, the expansion of the program reflects on the national government’s broader push to help communities develop sustainable livelihood opportunities.

“The continued expansion of Project LAWA at BINHI is aligned with the directive of President Ferdinand Rr. Marcos Jr. to DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian to strengthen programs that allow Filipinos to learn sustainable skills while earning additional income for their families,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said on Thursday (March 5).

In support of the program’s rollout for 2026, the DSWD FO MIMAROPA had a series of courtesy meetings with local government officials in Marinduque on February 18, 19, and 26.

The engagements served as a venue to present the program’s implementation results for 2024–2025, while also outlining the new social preparation requirements and key implementation plans set for the coming year.

Preparations also moved forward for the forthcoming workshop, “Planadong Sakahan, Matibay na Samahan,” an initiative designed to reinforce leadership capacity, strengthen organizational cohesion, and encourage collective action among program beneficiaries—key elements in ensuring the long-term sustainability and impact of the projects.

Project LAWA at BINHI is a DSWD program designed to address food insecurity and the effects of climate change in vulnerable communities.

Under the LAWA component, beneficiaries undertake initiatives aimed at improving water security for agricultural production.

These include the construction and rehabilitation of Small Farm Reservoirs (SFRs), establishment of water harvesting systems, and rehabilitation of waterways—interventions designed to ensure more reliable irrigation and strengthen water management, particularly during prolonged dry periods.

The BINHI component centers on enhancing community-based food systems. Through activities such as communal vegetable gardening, cultivation of climate-resilient crops, planting of fruit-bearing trees, and fish farming, the initiative seeks to promote sustainable food production and improve household food security within participating communities.

The DSWD spokesperson noted that the program has already created positive changes in communities where it has been implemented, as residents work together to build sustainable sources of food and water.

“In many communities across the country, we have seen how Project LAWA at BINHI encourages cooperation and empowers residents to take part in building small farm reservoirs, establishing communal gardens, and planting crops that can withstand changing weather conditions. These initiatives not only improve food and water access but also strengthen the resilience of communities,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.

For residents of Marinduque, the program provides an opportunity to earn while learning skills that can benefit them beyond the duration of the project.

Many beneficiaries have expressed gratitude for the opportunities provided through the program.

“Through the interventions of the DSWD, they are able to earn additional income while gaining knowledge and skills that they can continue to apply in their farming and livelihood activities,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao pointed out.

With stronger coordination with the local government units (LGUs), the expansion of Project LAWA at BINHI in Marinduque is expected to further strengthen community-driven initiatives that support food security and sustainable livelihoods.

As the program reaches more municipalities, it continues to demonstrate that empowering communities with the right resources, skills, and opportunities can help lay a stronger foundation for long-term resilience and development. (KB)