The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) disbursed PHP6.8 million for the salaries of 862 residents of five Catanduanes towns who are partner-beneficiaries of its Project LAWA (Local Adaptation to Water Access) and BINHI (Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest) food and water sufficiency programs.

Carl James Cabarles, DSWD disaster risk reduction management division information officer, said the beneficiaries received PHP7,900 each for rendering 20 days of cash-for-work and training.

He said the payout was conducted from July 8 to 10 in Pandan town for 198 beneficiaries who received a total of PHP1.56 million; Caramoran, 296 individuals who received PHP2.33 million; Bagamanoc, 99 people, PHP782,100; Viga, 190 beneficiaries, PHP1.5 million; and Gigmoto, 79 individuals who received PHP624,200.

“The next payout will start on Friday for five municipalities in Sorsogon province. For Masbate province, it will be conducted in the succeeding days. The partner beneficiaries received cash assistance based on the prevailing regional daily minimum wage rate of PHP395 per day,” Cabarles said.

He said Project LAWA at BINHI strengthens 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 climate change.

The beneficiaries include families of farmers, fisherfolk, indigenous peoples (IPs), and other climate and disaster-vulnerable families identified as poor by Listahanan 3 or upon assessment and validation by the Local Social Welfare and Development Office.

Cabarles said all of the 4,773 partner beneficiaries in the region are expected to receive their cash assistance before the end of the month. (PNA)