Balud, Masbate – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) handed over Project LAWA at the BINHI project site in Panguiranan, Balud, Masbate on July 19, 2024.

The event was participated by the Office of the Secretary led by DSWD Chief of Staff Evelyn Aribon, Assistant Secretary Ulysses H. Aguilar, Special Assistant to the Secretary (SAS) Maria Isabel Lanada, and other key personnel, DSWD Field Office 5 team led by Regional Director Norman Laurio, barangay officials of Panguiranan, and the partner-beneficiaries.

During the ceremony, SAS Isabel discussed the importance of this project in times of disasters and calamities to the partner-beneficiaries, and how Project LAWA at BINHI will ensure water sufficiency and food security during disasters brought about by the effects of climate change.

The DSWD officials also commended the partner-beneficiaries for the successful implementation of the program in their barangay. The participants toured the project site right after the turnover ceremony.

In his message, Regional Director Norman Laurio appreciated the efforts and unwavering support of the Local Government Unit of Balud and the Barangay Officials to the programs and services of the Department in their community, especially this Project LAWA at BINHI.

Mary Ann Bañaqui, a partner-beneficiary, shared her heartfelt message and personal testimony.

“Kaming mga partner-beneficiaries ay lubos na nagpapasalamat sa DSWD. Dahil sa programang Project LAWA at BINHI, nagkaroon kami ng kamalayan patungkol sa pag-iwas sa mga sakuna at panibagong oportunidad para sa aming hanapbuhay,” Bañaqui stated.

Based on the approved project proposal, partner-beneficiaries established a 250-square-meter small farm reservoir (SFR) as their water source for the three-hectare project site planted with various fruit-bearing trees as their identified projects for the program.

Project LAWA and BINHI, initiated by DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, aims to strengthen the adaptive capabilities of poor and vulnerable families during severe drought and mitigate the food insecurity and water scarcity caused by the El Niño phenomenon. This initiative also aims to address and prevent adversities and challenges that may be caused by La Niña through this sustainable development programs.###