Photo courtesy of DSWD-11
A climate adaptation program in Davao Oriental provided 300 residents with livelihood training and paid community work while extending more than Php 3 million in financial assistance.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development Davao Region distributed Php 3.06 million on Sept. 1 and 2 to participants who completed activities under Project LAWA at BINHI. Each beneficiary received Php 10,200.
Baganga accounted for 150 participants, while 100 came from Manay and another 50 from Mati City. The agency said all targeted beneficiaries in the three areas completed the program.
Instead of focusing solely on financial assistance, the 20-day engagement combined training with hands-on projects intended to help communities prepare for climate-related challenges.
Participants learned techniques involving sustainable agriculture, water conservation and climate-resilient food production. They also worked on projects such as establishing vegetable gardens and rehabilitating local water systems.
The activities were divided between cash-for-training, which focused on developing practical livelihood skills, and cash-for-work, which provided income while participants worked on projects benefiting their communities.
Project LAWA at BINHI combines water resource management, food production and livelihood development as part of the DSWD’s Risk Resiliency Program on climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Through the initiative, the agency aims to reduce communities’ vulnerability to environmental disruptions by pairing short-term income support with skills and locally managed projects that can contribute to longer-term food, water and livelihood security.