In Sta. Teresita town in Cagayan province, the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s ( DSWD ) Project LAWA (Local Adaptation to Water Access) and BINHI (Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished) is not only helping the townsfolk mitigate the effects of climate change but also in reviving ecotourism and local livelihood. Sta.
Teresita is a town rich in resources for ecotourism and agriculture. However, due to the effects of climate change that causes extreme weather conditions, community members experience significant losses in their livelihood. “Project LAWA and BINHI is an initiative that provides an opportunity to strengthen the government’s efforts to develop the resilience and improve the ability of vulnerable communities to handle both immediate and long-term risks through Cash-for-Training and Work activities,” Special Assistant to the Secretary (SAS) for Disaster Response Management Isabel Lanada said.
SAS Lanada explained Project LAWA and BINHI aims to create climate and disaster-resilient communities for sustainable development through the construction of water reservoirs to help farmers and villagers meet the challenges of the dry spell and the rainy season. Under the program, a 20-day learning development and temporary employment activity was conducted from May 24 to June 21 in Barangay Luga to establish a 3,000-cubic-meter small farm reservoir. The water harvesting facility supports 50,000 square meters of agricultural land and 3 hectares of communal garden.
It serves as a reliable water source to lessen the risks of drought and heavy rainfall in the community. To generate additional income for the community members, 2,500 fingerlings were added to the reservoir to support fish farming. The project did not stop at agriculture.
Seeing the potential for eco-tourism, the partner-beneficiaries built 13 “Bahay-Kubo” hut houses at the site. These traditional huts now serve as picnic spots and shelters for visitors, giving them a taste of local culture while enjoying the area’s natural beauty. To keep the project sustainable, there are plans to expand into agribusiness and tourism.
This will offer visitors recreational fishing, full-service picnics, and visits to cultural attractions like waterfalls and caves. This approach not only makes the visitor experience more enjoyable but also provides a steady income for the partner-beneficiaries, reduces costs, and creates jobs in the community. In Cagayan Valley, a total of 9,538 partner-beneficiaries established 54 Project LAWA and BINHI initiatives in 21 local government units across the region.
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