Baguio city: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has announced that its climate-resilient initiatives, Project LAWA at BINHI and Project Bahay Kubo, have benefited approximately 13,400 families in the Cordillera Administrative Region. These families are actively participating in sustainable projects aimed at enhancing climate resilience and food security.
According to Philippines News Agency, Nerie Villanueva, information officer of the DSWD in the region, reported that Project LAWA at BINHI (Local Adaptation to Water Access and Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished) engaged a total of 7,050 partner beneficiaries in 2025 and 6,400 this year. Partner beneficiaries have produced around 900,000 kilograms of vegetables under this program, designed to mitigate the impact of climate-related adversities like droughts and floods on vulnerable communities.
The initiative not only provides temporary employment through cash-for-work and cash-for-training schemes but also supports the development of infrastructure and sustainable community gardens. This approach allows families to consume their produce while selling the surplus for additional income.
Villanueva highlighted the program's focus on addressing food insecurity, water scarcity, and climate change adaptation through sustainable livelihood and environmental initiatives. The majority of beneficiaries belong to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), and the project involves planting vegetables on riverbanks to prevent soil erosion and generate food and income.
To further enhance these efforts, the Office of the Presidential Adviser for North Luzon, Department of Agriculture, and the DSWD have launched Project Bahay Kubo. This initiative aims to empower beneficiaries to produce their own planting materials and strengthen their farming skills, driving them towards becoming climate-resilient farming communities. The project is being implemented across all municipalities to foster self-sufficiency and reduce dependency on government support.
Villanueva noted that beneficiaries are being organized into cooperatives to consolidate their production, enabling them to sell in bulk and increase their income. Meanwhile, DSWD-Cordillera acting director Enrique Gascon emphasized the combined efforts of Project LAWA at BINHI and Project Bahay Kubo in providing immediate support and equipping communities with sustainable knowledge and resources.
"Through strengthened partnerships and community participation, the initiatives aim to cultivate resilient families, promote food security, and inspire self-reliant communities across the Cordillera region," Gascon stated.
