The implementation of the PHP21.1 million worth of projects under the 2025 risk resiliency program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is now in full swing in Antique.

Antique Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) Welfare Assistant Aileen Magbanua said the program already kicked off in San Remigio on Thursday.

“The 20-day risk resiliency program, Local Adaptation to Water Access (LAWA) and Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished (BINHI), kicked off in San Remigio on Thursday,” Magbanua said in an interview.

The program is implemented in three barangays, benefiting 700 residents who will receive PHP480 per day or a total of PHP6.7 million for their 20-day cash-for-training and cash-for-work.

“The beneficiaries during their 20-day cash-for-training and cash-for-work will be briefed about the program and construct small farm reservoirs (SFRs) to serve as water catchments for their farms,” she said.

They will also establish communal vegetable gardens to enhance their food security.

The risk resiliency program will also be implemented in the towns of Sebaste, Sibalom, Barbaza, and in the expansion municipalities of Pandan and Culasi.

“The LAWA and BINHI program has 2,200 beneficiaries from the 40 barangays of the six municipalities,” Magbanua said.

The DSWD has allocated PHP21.12 million for the program implementation in six municipalities.

In a previous interview with Armil Gayorgor, DSWD Regional Office 6 Project Development Officer II, said the program aims to strengthen the resilience and adaptive capacities of the residents of the municipalities while ensuring their food security.

He said the coastal municipalities of Pandan and Culasi have been included as expansion areas due to their vulnerability to the forecasted La Niña phenomenon this coming June. (PNA)