In the rustic farmlands of Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija, an age-old Filipino tradition is taking root once more through the collective spirit of communal unity and cooperation – Bayanihan, as most people know.

According to Melanie Barnachea, the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer (MSWDO) of Cuyapo, the resurgence of the Bayanihan spirit did not happen overnight. It was through the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Project LAWA (Local Adaptation to Water Access) and BINHI (Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished) that helped their community to rekindle the spirit of helping each other.

“Isa po dun sa nakikita namin ay yung pagbabalik ng Bayanihan. Importante po kasi na hindi lamang yung pagkakaniya-kaniya, kung hindi yung makikita mo kung paanong nagtutulong-tulong at nagkakaroon ng concern at pagsasama yung bawat miyembro ng komunidad,” Melanie said in an interview with the #Kwento ng Pag-Asa at Pagbabago (#KPAP), the award-winning online documentary of the DSWD.

Melanie said they were fortunate that their municipality was chosen as a beneficiary of the DSWD’s Project LAWA and BINHI, an initiative that focuses on food security and climate resilience by empowering local communities to cultivate agricultural and develop freshwater sources.

Out of 51 barangays in the town, 18 were chosen to participate in the project benefitting over 800 community members.

Through the help of the local government, the Municipal Agriculture Office distributed vegetable seeds to the participants for their BINHI project while the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) supplied 2,000 fingerlings for the LAWA component of the project.

Artemio Abellar Jr., one of the 44 beneficiaries from Barangay Burgos, happily shared that the project helped their community to ensure that they have sustainable food sources.

“Bumibili lang po kami dati sa kung sino yung mga naglalako, ngayon nung nagkaroon ang DSWD ng ganitong proyekto, napakalaking tulong po sa amin kasi tuloy-tuloy ang mga pananim namin…ganun din sa mga isda. Ipinagkaloob sa aming fingerlings na aming inaalagaan, pinapagaan ang aming kabuhayan,” Artemio said.

Meanwhile, Barangay Captain Carlos Caberto of Burgos did not hesitate to lend his half-hectare plot for the project. He stressed that it was natural to step up, not just as a community leader, but also as a neighbor to help those in need.

“Mostly po yung mga kinuha ko [na beneficiary] is yung mga talagang nangangailangan. Iyong talagang kung minsan walang trabaho, sa bukid lang umaasa. Tapos yung mga asawa naman kung minsan nasa Maynila, nag-take pa ng construction, ganun lang po,” Carlos explained.

As the community celebrates their third planting cycle in just a year, Carlos remains thankful for the gains that they continue to reap from the project.

“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa DSWD, sa LAWA at BINHI. Isang malaking tulong po sa aming barangay, lalo na sa mga beneficiaries na talaga namang gipit at natulungan natin sila. Nagkaroon sila ng experience at natuto silang magtanim maski sa sariling bakuran. Sana po tuloy-tuloy na magkaroon pa tayo ng mga ganitong programa,” Carlos told the #KPAP team.

The project’s impact is equally evident in Barangay Sinimbaan, where a large dam serves as both irrigation and fish source for over 40 beneficiaries.

Remalyn Soliven, president of the local LAWA at BINHI association in Sinimbaan, beams with pride as she shared in an interview with the #KPAP team on how their group has grown closer through the project.

“Masaya po kami lalo na po sa katuwaan sa kwentuhan lalo na po pag nagtatanim, nagdidilig. Nagpapasalamat po kami sa project na ito. Nagkaroon po kami ng lawa at binhi ng Sinimbaan. Nadagdagan po ulit ang aming kaisdaan dito sa lawa po,” Remalyn said.

Cuyapo Mayor Florida Esteban, on the other hand, also echoes the positive sentiments of her constituents noting how the townspeople partake in community building.

“Since groups of farmers itong LAWA at BINHI, marami ang nagtutulong-tulong para sa food security, pagtatanim ng mga gulay para makain, and at the same time, kung may sobra pwede nilang ibenta. Isa syempre na pwedeng bumili rin yung nutrition program namin wherein we feed the children who are malnourished,” Mayor Esteban said.

The #KPAP, the DSWD’s award winning online documentary, is a joint production of the Traditional Media Service (TMS) and the Digital Media Service (DMS) which are under the Strategic Communications. It is posted every Tuesday on the DSWD’s official Facebook page. (AKDL)