The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is ready to provide aid to poor and vulnerable communities and sectors that would be affected by the El Niño to cushion its impact.
“We are committed to help in responding to the impacts of the El Niño, especially to the poor and vulnerable sectors,” DSWD assistant secretary and spokeswoman Irene Dumlao said in Filipino during an interview with radio DZME yesterday.
DSWD is part of the food security cluster under the El Niño national action plan.
Dumlao said DSWD has existing programs that it could tap to assist affected sectors, such as Project LAWA (Local Adaptation to Water Access) that aims to improve the resiliency of communities affected by the El Niño phenomenon.
“Project LAWA aims to provide additional income support to poor communities, particularly farmers and fisherfolk, as well as provide field community physical assets, such as water ponds that are vital for community economic activities,” she said.
Under the project, DSWD, through its cash-for-training and -work initiative, will provide financial support as an alternative income in exchange for the work rendered by the beneficiaries while constructing alternative water resources.
Project LAWA is in its pilot implementation phase and targets to construct 90 small farm reservoirs in nine local government units in Davao de Oro, Ifugao and Antique.
The El Niño is expected to persist until the second quarter of 2024, with more than 60 provinces nationwide expected to experience drought next year. – Jocelyn Montemayor
