Surigao del Norte: At least 946 partner beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Caraga Region's (DSWD-13) project aimed at climate change mitigation and risk resiliency have received over PHP7.2 million in salaries during a three-day payout operation conducted last week across four provinces of the region.

According to Philippines News Agency, the payouts followed the recent completion of a 20-day work period by the recipients on their respective community projects under Project LAWA (Local Adaptation to Water Access) and BINHI (Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished). In a statement on Monday, DSWD-13 indicated that the distributions took place on separate occasions from May 27 to 31 in the provinces of Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Agusan del Sur.

On May 31, about 296 beneficiaries from seven barangays in Mainit, Surigao del Norte received salaries of PHP7,700 each after completing their 20 days of work. On the same day, 300 beneficiaries from five towns in Tubay, Agusan del Norte also got their salaries under the program. Separate payouts were conducted on May 29 in Tago, Surigao del Sur, benefiting 100 individuals, and on May 28 in Talacogon, Agusan del Sur, where 250 residents received their payments.

The DSWD-13 stated that these partner beneficiaries are active participants in Project LAWA and BINHI, which focus on addressing food and water insecurity in disaster-vulnerable communities. The program emphasizes crucial initiatives such as communal gardening, banana farming, and the construction of small farm reservoirs.