A farming community in North Negros is seeing tangible gains in food production and climate resilience through Project LAWA at BINHI, a government-backed initiative designed to address water scarcity and food insecurity in vulnerable areas.
Situated in Sitio Alinga-ob, Barangay Quezon, the Initihan River Irrigators Association Inc. (IRIAI) is a 130-member farmers’ organization established in 2017 that supports 50 partner-beneficiaries. The group manages irrigated rice lands and communal gardens while promoting sustainable and organic farming practices.
Key facilities at the site include a 600-square-meter small farm reservoir under the LAWA (Local Adaptation to Water Access) component, a 500-square-meter communal vegetable garden known as BINHI, integrated tilapia production, and youth-oriented agricultural initiatives. Among these is a 4H Club garden that draws irrigation water from the LAWA reservoir.
From mid-November to December 2025, the association recorded harvests of 285 kilograms of tilapia and 1,000 kilograms of vegetables, reflecting improved productivity and diversified food sources for the community.
“They are organized to manage irrigation resources, increase farm productivity, and improve members’ livelihoods through sustainable agricultural practices. The farmers adopt organic farming methods using natural materials,” said Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Disaster Response and Management Bureau Director Maria Isabel Lanada.
Lanada led a site visit and immersion activity in Barangay Quezon on Wednesday, joined by personnel from the DSWD central office, as well as provincial and regional focal persons and executive assistants of regional directors from across the country.
Recognized as a model and learning site by partner institutions, the Initihan River Irrigators Association Inc. was named the best Project LAWA at BINHI site during the agency’s 2025 Risk Resiliency Program–Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Regional Program Implementation Review.
Project LAWA at BINHI is among the Marcos administration’s initiatives aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. The program seeks to reduce hunger and economic vulnerability in communities by addressing water scarcity and food insecurity intensified by climate-related hazards and disasters.
