One of the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) in Mountain Province, has embarked on a transformative journey towards sustainability and resilience. Barangay Saliok, Natonin, Mountain Province which relies heavily on farming crops such as rice, corn, and vegetables for daily sustenance, has faced significant challenges due to El Niño and climate change, resulting in drastically reduced harvests and uncultivated farmlands.
In response, Project LAWA (Local Adaptation to Water Access) and Project BINHI (Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished) have been introduced, focusing on rehabilitating water harvesting systems and initiating communal gardening efforts to bolster food security and environmental sustainability. These initiatives aim to secure a sustainable water supply and promote organic gardening, ensuring the community’s self-sufficiency in food production. The water harvesting system rehabilitation project addresses the critical need for a reliable water supply for crop cultivation, especially in times of drought. Simultaneously, communal gardening provides locally grown produce, reducing the community’s reliance on neighboring markets.
Barangay Saliok’s 112 partner-beneficiaries, including elderly and persons with disability, have embraced the implementation of the project. Divided into four groups—Ambatotong, Arapang, Aporog, and Korpagen—they have surpassed their initial cultivation targets, driven by a collective desire to enhance harvests for consumption and community sales.
Prior to the establishment of the Project LAWA and BINHI, the farm lots were not eligible for titling due to lack of water access, caused by El Niño which resulted in poor harvests.
Project LAWA and BINHI not only tackle food security and malnutrition but also support environmental reclamation through composting and vermicomposting, turning previously idle lots into productive farmland. The initiatives ensure economic activity even during dry spells by enabling the cultivation of disaster-resilient crops.
“This project is a huge help to us, especially women without jobs. We learned a lot from the gardening training, and we are now committed to maintaining our gardens. We’ve cleaned up unused gardens and converted them into productive spaces. Now, instead of gossiping, we spend our time tending our gardens, and we reap fresh, healthy vegetables.” Asteria Mabunot from the Saliok Aporog Group.
The sustainability of these projects is ensured through continued support from the Municipal and Barangay Local Government Units (M/BLGU), which have pledged to assist in monitoring and providing seeds. The Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) has contributed by distributing seeds for future planting and providing fingerlings, further boosting the community’s resilience.
Training support from TESDA Mountain Province and the PLGU has also been pivotal, enhancing the beneficiaries’ skills in organic agriculture, which they proudly apply to their communal gardens. Despite setbacks from recent typhoons, the community remains committed to replanting in January 2025, with plans to showcase their harvests at the municipality’s SAS-ALLIWA Festival.
The concerted efforts of Barangay Saliok’s residents and supporting government agencies exemplify the power of community-driven initiatives in overcoming environmental and economic challenges. ### DSWD-CAR Social Marketing Unit –Novelle G. Ongat, Information Officer II |
