LEGAZPI CITY, ALBAY — A total of 2,644 partner-beneficiaries across eight municipalities in the Bicol Region received their compensation under the first batch of payouts for Project LAWA at BINHI held from June 16 to June 24, 2025, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office V – Bicol Region.
The payout covered the 20-day Cash-for-Work (CFW) and Cash-for-Training (CFT) engagement of partner-beneficiaries who took part in disaster-resilience and climate adaptation initiatives in their respective communities. Each participant received PHP 7,900, amounting to a total disbursement of PHP 20,887,600.00 for this initial batch alone.
Municipalities and corresponding numbers of beneficiaries include: * Casiguran, Sorsogon – 293 partner-beneficiaries
* Donsol, Sorsogon – 399 partner-beneficiaries
* Pilar, Sorsogon – 200 partner-beneficiaries
* Sta. Magdalena, Sorsogon – 379 partner-beneficiaries
* Claveria, Masbate – 500 partner-beneficiaries
* Pio V. Corpus, Masbate – 499 partner-beneficiaries
* Libmanan, Camarines Sur – 100 partner-beneficiaries
* Bagamanoc, Catanduanes – 274 partner-beneficiaries
As part of their Cash-for-Work responsibilities, beneficiaries engaged in a variety of community-based environmental and livelihood activities. These included the planting of various vegetables and the establishment of communal gardens.
As part of the Cash-for-Training component, beneficiaries attended workshops on LAWA and BINHI assessments and Community Action Planning. The activity also included Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) sessions, equipping participants with practical skills for long-term, climate-resilient livelihood opportunities.
Project LAWA (Local Adaptation to Water Access) and BINHI (Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished) is implemented under the Risk Resiliency Program (RRP) of DSWD.
The successful implementation of the the said batch was made possible through the dedicated efforts of the DSWD Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) team, in close coordination with the Technical Working Group (TWG)composed of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Offices (MSWDO) and Municipal Agriculture Offices (MAO) and Local Government Units (LGUs).
One beneficiary expressed her gratitude towards the project highlighting the impact of the cash assistance to her as a team leader: “Nagpapasalamat ako sa programa kan DSWD, yading [Project] LAWA at BINHI na nakatabang yadi ning dakuluon sa mga tawo dito sa Pilar. Pirme, dakulang pasasalamat ko na napili ako nila na maging team leader. Siguro nakita ninda na kaya ko rin magibo ning responsabilidad bilang team leader. Salamat din sa inyo, sa mga facilitator asin sa opisina kang DSWD.” -Ms. Mary Jean Miranda, PLAB Beneficiary from Pilar, Sorsogon.
According to DSWD Bicol Regional Director Norman S. Laurio, the payouts not only serve as financial assistance but also as a reward for the beneficiaries’ active participation in community-driven development.
The Department likewise recognizes the unwavering support of DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, whose leadership has strengthened the reach and impact of resilience programs like LAWA at BINHI across vulnerable communities in the country.
The second batch of disbursements is expected to cover more municipalities in the coming weeks as implementation continues across the region.