Paluan and Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office MIMAROPA, in collaboration with the DSWD Central Office, conducted a series of site visits to established Project LAWA (Local Adaptation to Water Access) and BINHI (Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished) sites in the municipalities of Paluan and Abra de Ilog on June 16–17, 2025.

The activity was led by Charles Cahilig, National Focal for the Risk Resiliency Program (RRP), along with other members of the RRP Technical Working Group (TWG), which began with courtesy visits to the respective Local Government Units (LGUs), and the purpose of the mission was outlined and local partnerships were reinforced.

During the field activities, the RRP focals conducted “kamustahan sessions” through focused-group discussions with partner-beneficiaries, discussing challenges, experiences, and best practices during and after project implementation.

A total of six (6) BINHI sites and one (1) LAWA site were visited in Paluan, while one combined LAWA and BINHI site was assessed in Abra de Ilog. During these visits, the delegation also learned that LGUs had already supported several groups of partner-beneficiaries in forming associations. 

Notable among these were the Local Initiative for Planting and Aquatic-Care (LIPA) Association in Paluan, which has secured association accreditation and land acquisition documents, and the Amatang IP Association in Abra de Ilog, which has completed its accreditation and recently opened a bank account.

These site visits and the conduct of focused-group discussions play a vital role in ensuring the sustainability of the projects, many of which have evolved into income-generating ventures. They also serve to strengthen community empowerment and engagement.

To conclude the activity, RRP officials conducted exit conferences with the LGUs and RRP-TWGs to present key observations, provide recommendations, and identify strategies to further enhance project sustainability. Planned follow-up actions include workshops on by-laws formulation, crop planning, farm business planning, and community action planning.