The project beneficiaries in Mandaue City had a meaningful experience during the 20-day implementation of Project LAWA at BINHI under the Risk Resiliency Program of DSWD.
Lorena harvests the full-grown eggplant from their garden.
A land area of 1,500 square meters yielded an estimated 60 kilos of various varieties of vegetables, which the beneficiaries displayed in Mandaue City Public Market near Mandaue City Hall.
Lorena R. Soco, a partner beneficiary from Barangay Casili, stated that, besides having food from their first harvests, they also earned income from selling them. This practice boosts their income and helps meet the daily basic needs of the families.
Their first harvest yielded 60 kilos of eggplants worth PHP 4,200; 45 kilos of tomatoes worth PHP 3,150; 20 kilos of pechay worth PHP 1,000; 35 kilos of kangkong or water spinach worth PHP 1,750; 25 kilos of bell peppers worth PHP 3,500; and 20 kilos of sword peppers worth PHP 1,600.
A total harvest of 205 kilos in all varieties of vegetables has a total sale of PHP 15,200.00 on the first harvest. Beneficiaries sell the harvested vegetables in the Kadiwa display area near Mandaue City Hall.
Besides gaining extra income from selling vegetables, the Brgy. Casili beneficiaries also fed their families on the harvest of their communal or urban gardening.
The partner beneficiaries started their garden in April this year and harvested the produce in June. They are excited to do their second harvest in September.
The project proved to be an empowering experience through the training that gave the beneficiaries valuable lessons in resilience against climate change.
According to Lorena in dialect, she and her co-partner beneficiaries have learned and understand the principles and the practices of Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, which taught them how to bounce back and be prepared for climate change.
Also, they experienced immediate financial relief with the cash assistance they got from 20-day work. While doing communal gardening, the community learned to work together, sell their produce later, and receive compensation—an eye-opening shift in their approach to food security and community involvement.
The Local Government Unit (LGU) of Mandaue City ensures project sustainability by integrating its existing programs with the partner barangays. The LGU provides ongoing support and monitors the beneficiaries’ engagement, fostering a collaborative effort to strengthen the community’s resilience and self-sufficiency. ###
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