The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has released a total of PHP17.442 million in cash assistance to partner-beneficiaries under the Project LAWA at BINHI in five local government units (LGUs) across Negros Occidental.

Data of the DSWD-Negros Island Region (NIR) on Tuesday showed the amount was paid to 1,700 recipients who received PHP10,260 each after completing the 20-day cash-for-work and cash-for-training program in the last week of June.

“This combines temporary employment with capacity-building activities designed to strengthen community resilience, climate change adaptation, and sustainable resource management,” the DSWD-NIR said in a news release.

In southern Negros, Candoni town has 200 beneficiaries from the villages of Caningay, Gatuslao, Payauan, and Poblacion East, who received a total of PHP2.052 million.

Hinobaan, with 300 beneficiaries from Bacuyangan, Damutan, San Rafael, and Talacagay villages, got PHP3.078 million.

Sipalay City’s 400 beneficiaries from Barangays Cabadiangan , Camindangan, Maricalum, Nauhang, Gil Montilla, and Manlucahoc were paid PHP4.104 million.

In northern Negros, San Carlos City, with 300 beneficiaries from Prosperidad, Quezon, Bagonbon, and Codcod, received PHP3.078 million.

Calatrava’s 500 beneficiaries from Agpangi, Cruz, Dolis, Ilaya, Minapasuk, and Minautok got PHP5.13 million.

For 20 days, the beneficiaries participated in a series of training sessions and community-based activities focused on disaster preparedness, climate change adaptation, and the establishment and sustainable management of small farm reservoirs (SFRs).

These community assets are designed to improve water availability, strengthen agricultural productivity, and enhance food and water security amid the impacts of climate change.

After the payouts, the DSWD-NIR turned over the completed Project LAWA at BINHI project sites to the partner-beneficiaries and their respective communities.

For Project LAWA, the DSWD focuses on enhancing water access and management in communities prone to drought and water shortages by constructing SFRs, repairing or rehabilitating water-harvesting facilities, and diversifying water supplies, among other projects.

Meanwhile, Project BINHI aims to promote food security and nutrition among communities by facilitating the adoption of climate-resilient and sustainable agricultural practices such as planting of disaster-resilient crops, fruit-bearing trees and mangroves, and the like; communal and urban gardening; and vermicomposting. (PNA)