Tacloban — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announced the completion of 484 projects aimed at improving water access and food production in Eastern Visayas under its Project LAWA (Local Adaptation to Water Access) and BINHI (Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished).

According to Philippines News Agency, the agency’s Eastern Visayas Field Office-8 successfully constructed 274 water harvesting facilities and 210 community gardens. The projects also included the development of 11 fishponds each in Northern Samar and Eastern Samar, with an additional 252 in Southern Leyte. These initiatives are designed to enhance agricultural productivity and help local farmers mitigate the impacts of dry spells linked to El Niño and climate change.

Dumlao, who also serves as Assistant Secretary for Disaster Response Management Group, highlighted that the water facilities now support approximately 138,605 square meters of agricultural land. Additionally, the community gardens are expected to significantly boost the harvest of vegetables, crops, and fruit-bearing plants, potentially providing sustenance for over 26,000 families in the region.

The project also incorporated an educational component, with 3,800 partner-beneficiaries receiving training in disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and practical skills in gardening and water harvesting. Following the training, participants engaged in 15 days of work, which included the construction of water facilities and activities like farming and vermicomposting.

Participants in Project LAWA and BINHI were compensated with PHP 7,500 for their involvement in 20-day cash-for-work and training sessions, with the most recent payouts occurring from July 13-31. The projects not only aim to maintain agricultural productivity during dry periods but also manage excess water during rainy periods potentially induced by La Niña.

Highlighting the national recognition of the projects, Dumlao mentioned that these initiatives were cited by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22. The recognition underlines the importance of such projects in combating food insecurity and water scarcity in the region.