In its first year, Risk Resiliency Program’s (RRP) Project LAWA (Local Adaptation to Water Access) at BINHI (Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished) helped communities to combat water shortages and food insecurity. The project successfully established 228 Project LAWA sites and 326 BINHI sites across 20 different Local Government Units (LGUs) in Region 1.

These sites have greatly benefited local farmers and their communities, serving as sources of water for both farming and household use. Additionally, they provide food and income through vegetable growing and fish farming.

Even after the implementation, partner-beneficiaries, with the support from their LGUs, continue to manage and maintain the sites through community-led activities.

To further assist the Project LAWA at BINHI, the DSWD Field Office 1 conducted Food-for-Work (FFW) to provide additional support for the partner-beneficiaries in continuing the rehabilitation and sustainability of the projects.

Some of the activities include repairing and maintaining Small Farm Reservoirs (SFR) and waterways, rehabilitating developed springs and community gardens, and repairing tube wells damaged by typhoons that hit Region 1 last year.

The FFW aims not only to sustain Project LAWA at BINHI but also to provide additional food security for partner-beneficiaries.

A total of 5,044 partner-beneficiaries from Region 1 have gained from the FFW program. These cover 15 LGUs, which were identified as priority areas based on the Climate Outlook of DOST-PAGASA last December 2023.

Project LAWA at BINHI is an initiative under the RRP designed to address water and food shortages caused by climate change through the construction of SFR and other water impounding facilities,  and the cultivation of disaster-resilient crops, vegetables, and fruit-bearing trees. The project also aims to empower communities by equipping them with the knowledge and skills to combat the worsening effects of climate change in the country. (by Henry J. Juyno, Information Officer II, Social Marketing Unit)