Over 2,000 Iloilo City residents to benefit from DSWD’s risk resiliency program

A total of 2,019 residents from 124 barangays in Iloilo City will benefit from the “Project LAWA at BINHI” of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-6.

Project LAWA at BINHI which stands for Local Adaptation to Water Access and Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished is a project under the Risk Resiliency Program through Cash-for-Training and Work (RRP-CFTW).

RRP-CFTW is a proactive intervention and sustainable solution to combat hunger, alleviate poverty, and decrease economic vulnerability of the communities by addressing food security and water scarcity exacerbated by climate change and disasters

The Iloilo City Government headed by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas and DSWD-6 represented by its regional director, Atty. Carmelo Nochete led the signing of a memorandum of agreement on April 4, 2024 at the City Mayor Mayor’s Office.

DSWD-6 allocated and downloaded over P18-million fund to the Iloilo City Government for the implementation of the project.

Treñas, who expressed his elation, said DSWD’s support is a big help especially with the present dry season wherein water and food security are in need.

He noted that the project will enhance the city government’s urban gardening project dubbed as “JPT (Jerry P. Treñas) Ediscape (edible landscaping).

“Aton ginapasiguro nga ang pundo nga ginhatag ninyo makadto sa maayo kag makabenepisyo sang aton mga pumuluyo sa barangay,” the city mayor assured Nochete.

Nochete, on his part, thanked the city government for helping the department in the implementation of the project.

“Hopefully, ma-empower ang mga tawo mahambal sila ini amon ini proyekto, kay nanay and tatay ini proyekto…so that may continuity indi lang subong nga tuig kundi sa maabot pa gid nga mga tinion,” Nochete said.

City Social Welfare and Development Office head Teresa Gelogo said the beneficiaries will start by undergoing 3-day learning and development sessions on climate change adaptation and mitigation.

It will be followed by 15 days of cash-for-work of the beneficiaries focusing on water sufficiency and food security.

Specifically, the works will focus on container gardening and tree planting in target areas such as in JPT Ediscape communal gardens and Day Care Centers across the city.

Beneficiaries will also construct small farm reservoir or Lawa, repair and rehabiliation of water harvesting facilities, diversification of water supplies, repairs of multipurpose water infrastructures, and other activities supporting water sufficiency.

The project will be concluded with another 2-day training sessions on different strategies for the sustainability of the projects.

In exchange, the beneficiaries will get a compensation of P450 a day for 20 days.

Gelogo said they will plant resilient crops and vegetables and fruit-bearing trees which can later on augment the city’s supplemental feeding for children.

Gelogo said the beneficiaries will also be encouraged to bring and implement the communal and container gardening in their respective backyards and community. (GSTayona/Iloilo City PIO)