Project LAWA (Local Adaptation to Water Access) and BINHI (Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished) is an initiative of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) that aims to establish sustainable agriculture and address food security in impoverished areas.
One of the beneficiaries of Project LAWA and BINHI is the Camoncadaan Farmers Association Inc., a group based in Barangay Tubectubang in Moncada, Tarlac province. Since the beginning of this year, the rural community has benefited from the agricultural opportunities that have been established through the project.
Farmers Association Benefits from Project LAWA and BINHI
Lately, Project LAWA and BINHI has played a crucial role in mitigating the impact of El Niño, especially in areas that are vulnerable to natural disasters. Through a press release, the DSWD featured the story of a farmer’s group in Moncada, Tarlac.
Learning About the Project
Among the beneficiaries of Project LAWA and BINHI is Bobby Novida, a former overseas Filipino worker (OFW) and now president of the Camoncadaan Farmers Association Inc. After many years of working abroad, he was able to buy a four-hectare piece of farmland, of which 2,500 square meters has been allotted for the project.
According to Bobby, he had no idea about Project LAWA and BINHI at first. But after attending training sessions on organic agriculture and getting support from the town’s local chief executive and municipal officials — he discovered the project’s huge potential.
Becoming a Project Beneficiary
During the first semester of 2024, the Camoncadaan Farmers Association Inc. became a beneficiary of Project LAWA and BINHI.
“Ang Camoncadaan Farmers Association ay natatag po noong September 25, 2019 kaya po limang taon na po yung association po namin. Unang una talaga, wala akong ideya, kumbaga zero knowledge ako rito sa Project LAWA… Kaya po noong nag-seminar, doon po natuto ako (The Camoncadaan Farmers Association was established on September 25, 2019. Our association has been active for five years. At first, I had no idea, I had zero knowledge about Project LAWA… But after attending the seminar, that’s when I learned),” Bobby recalled during an interview for “Kwento ng Pag-Asa at Pagbabago” (Stories of Hope and Transformation), an online documentary created and featured by the DSWD.
As part of the project, Bobby offered his land for free. It would be cultivated by members of their association over the next 10 years, or more, depending on the community’s needs.
Harvest Sustains, Provides Earnings
When asked why Bobby decided to his help his farmers, he explained: “Kahirapan po noong time na ‘yon eh. Kumbaga walang pagkukunan yung mga tao. Parang nakapagbigay kami ng trabaho sa kanila. Ngayon po yung kita, iniipon para kapag po may project po kami dito, yun po yung ginagamit namin (It was a difficult time then. The people had no source of income, which we were able to provide through this project. Today, we save our earnings so that when there’s a new project, we are able to fund it).”
With regard to their earnings from organic farming, he shared: “Nung una po 90 talaga kami dito. Lahat po iyon nakinabang. Gawa po na maraming trabaho na, hindi na po nagagawi rito. Pero yung kita po na ano, mayroon pa rin sila… nag-aaverage ng 5,000 monthly. Pinaka-extra po ng bawat isa (At first there were 90 of us. Everyone benefited. Now that they have other jobs, some do not come here anymore. But they are still receiving earnings… average of PHP 5,000 monthly. Each one receives that extra income).”
In addition, members of the group are encouraged to harvest crops from the farm, for their daily consumption. Their crops include various fruits and vegetables such as cucumber, eggplant, grapes, pepper, tomatoes, watermelon, winged beans, and many more.
Commitment to Organic Farming
Meanwhile, the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) of Moncada, Tarlac had chosen the Camoncadaan Farmers Association Inc. because of their commitment to organic farming.
“Siguro po yung isang factor po don yong pagiging MAFC ko, Municipal Agriculture Fishery Chairman. Sa buong Tarlac po kasi nagpo-promote po kami ng organic. Gusto namin makita na yung community namin safe sa mga kinakain. Ito na siguro yung chance ko na ipakita sa community ko na itong LAWA at BINHI namin sa bata man, sa matanda (Perhaps my being Municipal Agriculture Fishery Chairman or MAFC was a factor. All over Tarlac, we promote organic farming. We want our community to eat safe, healthy foods. This is our chance to show the community that Project LAWA and BINHI benefits everyone, young and old),” Bobby said.
Making Farming Healthy and Sustainable
Aside from organic farming, Bobby believes that sustainability is also important. He decided to invest in solar panels, which powered the farm. Furthermore, the group focused on organic farming to produce clean and healthy produce not only for themselves, but also for the students and teachers of a nearby school, the Demetrio F. Nagtalon Integrated School.
“Actually ito talaga malaking tulong po sa community namin. Yung ginagamit na pang-feeding sa school dito po. Alam nila na chemical-free. Hindi po basta-basta nag-i-ispray kami dito. Kapag po nagpupunta dito yung mga taga-diyan sa school, pick and pay na lang po sila (Actually this had been a big help to our community. They use our produce for their feeding program. They know that it’s chemical free. We do not use chemical sprays. When people from the school come here, they just pick and pay),” he said.
Notably, at the center of the farm is a 21-foot fishpond where association members breed bangus, bulig, dalag, and hito. The fishpond provides food and additional income to the community.
Grateful for the Project
One of the association’s members, Sharon Soriano, has expressed her gratefulness for Project LAWA and BINHI.
“Malaking tulong po sa amin itong Project LAWA at BINHI kasi nasusustain nila, nabibigyan nila kami ng aming mga pangangailangan sa pagkain (Project LAWA and BINHI has been a big help to us because it sustains and provides us with our daily need for food),” Sharon said.
“Syempre yung mga gulay po rito tapos yang mga lawa dyan may isda naman yan. Tapos isa pa po yung ginagawa namin may cash-for-work naman po ito. Malaking tulong din po lalo na sa akin na ginamit ko po na pambili ng gamit ng mga anak namin sa pagpasok. Kaya napakalaking bagay po yung naitulong ng Project LAWA at BINHI sa amin. Financially po at sa pagkain namin (We get vegetables from the farm and fish from the pond. Then there’s the cash-for-work program. This has helped me since I was able to buy things for my children’s schooling. So Project LAWA has been a huge help to us, in terms of food and financial needs),” she added.
Meanwhile, Bobby also expressed his gratitude for the project: “Maraming salamat po sa DSWD sa pagbibigay po sa amin ng Project LAWA at BINHI at naipakita namin yung kakayahan ng Camoncadaan Farmers Association kung paano po namin kayang alagaan at pagandahin ang mga project para po sa komunidad (Thanks to DSWD for giving us Project LAWA and BINHI; we have shown the capabilities of Camoncadaan Farmers Association, how we are able to care for and improve projects for the community).”
Final Thoughts
Indeed, the Camoncadaan Farmers Association Inc. has come a long way, thanks to Project LAWA and BINHI. With continued support from the DSWD, the association is planning to expand the farm, in order to cultivate and harvest more produce.
In other parts of the country, Project LAWA and BINHI also continues to benefit many families and communities. Check out this article to learn more about how the project has helped build water harvesting systems in Patnanungan, Quezon.