Over 1,000 farmers from Pampanga received PHP4,200 each in compensation of their 10-day temporary employment through the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Risk Resiliency Program-Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Disaster Risk Reduction’s (RRP-CCAM DRR) cash-for-work scheme.

The RRP-CCAM DRR program aims to empower communities to become disaster-resilient by combating the effects of climate change.

Venus Rebuldela, DSWD Assistant Regional Director for Operations, emphasized that through the short-term income-generating interventions, farmers had the opportunity to become more resilient to the adverse effects of disasters and climate change. Initiatives included tree planting, mangrove reforestation, and communal gardening.

“Hindi lamang ito isang programa na naglalayon na mabigyan ng pansamantalang trabaho o pagkakakitaan ang mga pamilya sa mga vulnerable na lugar, bagkus, ang mga programa at proyektong ito ay nagtuturo at nagsasanay kung paano makapaghahanda at makaiiwas ang mga komunidad sa sakuna na dulot ng pagbabago ng klima (This is not just a program aimed at providing temporary employment or source of livelihood by the families in vulnerable areas. Instead, these programs and projects teach and train how communities can prepare and avoid disasters caused by climate change),” she said in a social media post.

The program, in partnership with the provincial government of Pampanga, reached partner-beneficiaries from the municipalities of Arayat, Mexico, Sto. Tomas, and the City of San Fernando. 

Photo Credit: Facebook/PSWDO Pampanga