The Department of Social Welfare and Development – Davao Region (DSWD-11) has disbursed a total of ₱3.06 million to 300 Davao Oriental residents following their completion of a 20-day cash-for-training and cash-for-work engagement under Project LAWA at BINHI.
According to a DSWD-11 statement, the payouts were conducted from September 1 to 2, fully meeting participant targets across three target municipalities: 150 individuals in Baganga, 100 in Manay, and 50 in Mati City.
Each participant received ₱10,200 for completing the 20-day program, which combined practical capacity-building with hands-on community projects aimed at building climate resilience.
Building Livelihoods and Climate Resilience
Throughout the program, participants engaged in educational workshops and local projects aimed at boosting food security, improving water access, sustaining livelihoods, and strengthening local defenses against environmental impacts.
”Through the CFT component, beneficiaries gained new knowledge and skills to enhance their livelihoods, while the CFW program allowed them to contribute to community projects that directly benefit local residents, all while earning income for their basic needs,” DSWD-11 said.
Project LAWA at BINHI—which stands for Local Adaptation to Water Access and Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished—serves as a flagship effort to mitigate climate impacts through integrated water management, agricultural production, and economic support.
Participants learned climate-smart agricultural techniques, water conservation methods, and sustainable farming practices that they can implement within their respective communities.
Community-Led Projects
Through the cash-for-work component, participants executed local projects, such as establishing communal vegetable plots, rehabilitating water infrastructure, and leading community-driven environmental efforts.
The agency emphasized that the program provides more than temporary financial relief, aiming instead to foster long-term skills, civic involvement, and self-reliance among participants.
”At the conclusion of the 20-day engagement, the 300 beneficiaries carried not only their cash assistance but also new skills, experiences, and a more active role in building stronger, self-reliant communities,” DSWD-11 added.
Project LAWA at BINHI operates under the Risk Resiliency Program – Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation (RRP-CCAM), which focuses on empowering communities to develop localized, sustainable solutions to environmental hazards.
The program reflects DSWD’s broader strategy to integrate climate adaptation directly into its social protection framework.