Accra:Bicol The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the Bicol Region has disbursed PHP40.39 million in financial assistance to 4,205 individuals affected by dengue, including patients and bereaved families, across six provinces as of October 19. This aid is part of the agency's Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, which offers medical, cash, funeral, and food assistance to those impacted by dengue-related illnesses and deaths.
According to Philippines News Agency, the distribution of assistance was facilitated through 13 Crisis Intervention Section - AICS satellite offices and seven Malasakit Centers. Camarines Norte reported the highest number of beneficiaries, with 1,742 clients receiving PHP13.67 million. Albay followed with 1,017 clients and PHP13.24 million, while Sorsogon served 578 clients with PHP7.35 million. In Camarines Sur, 612 clients received PHP4.12 million in aid. Catanduanes recorded 210 clients who were given PHP1.51 million, and Masbate served 45 clients with PHP477,400.
In addition to the ongoing assistance, DSWD-Bicol is preparing for the implementation of Project Local Adaptation to Water Access (LAWA) and Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished (BINHI) in 2027, aiming to mitigate the potential impacts of El Niño anticipated in the first quarter of next year. Claudio Villareal, chief of the Disaster Response and Management Division, emphasized the importance of sustaining established water facilities and communal gardens beyond the program's initial implementation.
Villareal highlighted the agency's plans to enhance community organizing, capacity building, and partnerships with local government units and national agencies to empower communities in managing water resources and sustaining food production. The project's specific targets for 2027 will be determined by the DSWD Central Office's approved implementation plan and the availability of funds.
For 2026, Project LAWA at BINHI covered 30 LGUs across six provinces, serving 9,000 partner-beneficiaries with an allocated budget of PHP78.3 million. The program achieved 100 percent of its target for partner-beneficiaries served. It aims to support communities in preparing for El Niño's potential effects by improving water access through LAWA's water-harvesting facilities and boosting community-based food production via BINHI's communal gardens.
DSWD-Bicol identified maintaining the sustainability of water facilities and communal gardens and ensuring continued community participation and support from partner LGUs as key challenges. Villareal stressed the need for communities to sustain planting activities, organize members, and find ways to maintain production post-program completion.
