DSWD launching LAWA, BINHI programs to cushion El Niño impact

INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Tuesday announced that it will launch two projects aimed at mitigating the effects of the El Niño phenomenon.

The Local Adaptation to Water Access (LAWA) and Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished (BINHI) will offer cash-for-training and cash-for-work programs.

“The Project LAWA and BINHI aims to strengthen the adaptive capabilities of poor and vulnerable families during periods of severe drought, ultimately mitigating the impact of food insecurity and water scarcity brought about by the El Niño,” Social Welfare and Development  Secretary Rex Gatchalian said.

On February 22, the DSWD will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with other government and non-government organizations such as the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Agriculture, University of the Philippines – Los Baños, and the United Nations World Food Programme for the implementation of the program.

Program beneficiaries will be given work or training, and will build facilities such as water reservoirs, water infrastructures, or water harvesting facilities to combat the effects of the El Niño.

The beneficiaries will work for 10 to 25 days and will be paid based on the Regional Daily Minimum Wage Rate of the area.