The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD FO CAR), in collaboration with the Risk Resilience Program – Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation (RRP-CCAM) Team from the Central Office, recently conducted a monitoring visit in Ifugao. The visit aimed to re-orient partner Local Government Units (LGUs) of the core purpose and assess the status of the project in the Province.
DSWD FO CAR Regional Director Maria A. Catbagan-Aplaten, accompanied by Special Assistant to the Secretary (SAS) for Special Programs Maria Isabel Lanada, led a courtesy call with the Provincial Governor to discuss the progress of Project LAWA at BINHI in the province. The discussion centered on sustaining the project’s impact by empowering communities to take ownership of the initiative, ensuring its long-term viability. SAS Lanada emphasized that the key to addressing climate change is not only providing resources but also shifting mindsets, enabling communities to be at the forefront of building sustainable food and water systems.
Part of the visit also tackled logistical support for disaster response. Director Catbagan-Aplaten discussed the Relief Preposition Agreement (RPA) with the Provincial Government of Ifugao, recognizing the need to establish more warehouses for prepositioning relief goods. This aims to address logistical challenges and ensure a timely response during disasters.
The RRP-CCAM team conducted monitoring visits to project sites in Hungduan, Ifugao, where Project LAWA at BINHI is already making a visible impact. In Barangay Hapao, the team visited a LAWA site converted into a tilapia fishpond. Nearby, a BINHI site initially dedicated to vegetable farming was temporarily transformed for rice cultivation due to typhoon damage. The team noted how the water sourced from a mountain waterfall was maximized—feeding the fishpond while simultaneously irrigating the rice field. This efficient water utilization ensures that food production remains consistent despite weather disruptions.
In Barangay Nungulunan, two LAWA sites were also being maintained, stocked with tilapia and carp. The community adopted an integrated farming approach where poultry and livestock were housed above the fishpond, allowing animal droppings to organically enrich the water and promote algae growth for the fish. This cycle of natural resource utilization not only strengthens food production but also minimizes input costs for farmers.
The impact of Project LAWA at BINHI extended further in Alfonso Lista, where the Municipality formally entered into a Tripartite Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with DSWD FO CAR, the Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU), and the Municipal Local Government Unit (MLGU). The agreement solidified their shared responsibility in ensuring the continuous implementation, monitoring, and sustainability of the project. The team also visited Barangay Sta. Maria, where a Submersible Solar Pump was installed to supply water for both irrigation and fishponds. The system allows excess water from the pump to flow directly into the fishpond, ensuring continuous water access for crop production and aquaculture.
As communities continue to cultivate their own resources, the project serves as a reminder that addressing climate change requires empowering people from the ground up. Project LAWA at BINHI is not just about providing food and water—it’s about enabling communities to take control of their future, ensuring that the impact of the project goes beyond one season and lasts for generations. # DSWD-CAR Social Marketing Unit – Novelle G. Ongat, Information Officer II
