Pasay City: 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) have provided assistance to over 137,654 beneficiaries from 310 localities across the Philippines this year.

According to Philippines News Agency, the announcement was made during the opening ceremonies of the project’s national convention in Pasay City, where Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) Undersecretary Diana Rose Cajipe delivered a message on behalf of DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian. The risk resiliency initiative is designed to strengthen the capabilities of Filipino communities through cash-for-work (CFW) and cash-for-training (CFT) modalities.

The national convention, which runs from December 2 to 4, serves as a platform to promote collaboration, knowledge exchange, and capacity building among Project LAWA and BINHI implementers at both local and national levels. Gatchalian emphasized the align
ment of these initiatives with the United Nations’ Sustainable Goals, focusing on combating hunger and poverty, and addressing climate action by ensuring water sufficiency and sustainable food security through innovative agricultural practices.

In 2024, Project LAWA successfully irrigated over 7,234 hectares of agricultural land through 1,842 facilities, providing essential water resources to communities affected by drought and climate change. Additionally, 4,317 BINHI sites were established, resulting in the harvest of over 21,014,574 kilos of produce, benefiting more than 810,756 families.

The DSWD’s risk resiliency initiative aims to build climate and disaster-resilient communities by assisting them in constructing water reservoirs to tackle the challenges posed by dry spells and rainy seasons.

Additionally, during the event, the DSWD introduced its newest initiative, the ready-to-eat food (RTEF) packs, designed to ensure food sources in disaster-affected areas. The RTEF packs, containing nutritious pre
-cooked meals, will be part of the DSWD’s relief items, distributed to affected families within the first 24 to 48 hours of a disaster.

Each RTEF pack includes various nutritionally-analyzed food items developed with the expertise of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and its affiliated institutes, ensuring that families have access to essential nutrition during emergencies.

Gatchalian expressed confidence in the reinforcement of the Buong Bansa Handa program under the Marcos administration, which aims to enhance the nation’s disaster preparedness and response capabilities. He highlighted the crucial role of local government units (LGUs) in the successful implementation of both the RTEF initiative and Project LAWA at BINHI, encouraging them to leverage this opportunity for acquiring knowledge, skills, and tools necessary for adaptation and innovation in disaster management.