DSWD Field Office Caraga kicks off the implementation of the Risk Resiliency Program- Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation (RRP-CCAM) for the year 2020 through a series of municipal orientations which started last May 18, 2020.

 

The Municipal Orientation was conducted by the RRP-CCAM team, led by Maryfel Jerios (focal person) in the municipalities of Tago, Lianga, Bayabas, and San Miguel (Surigao del Sur); Tubay, Jabonga, Kitcharao, Las Nieves, and Carmen (Agusan del Norte); Sison and Alegria (Surigao del Norte). While the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Lingig and Bislig, Surigao del Sur and other municipalities are scheduled to conduct its municipal orientation in the following weeks.

 

The Municipal Orientation is part of the social preparation for the RRP-CCAM implementation. This is expected to last from May to June 2020. The Municipal/ City Local Government Unit Orientation and Planning Process is attended by the Municipal/City Mayor, the Barangay Chairpersons, the Municipal/ City Social Welfare and Development Officer (M/CSWDO), and other concerned units. The discussion will focus on the preparation and planning of the RRP-CCAM implementation, and revisiting of the Local Climate Change Action Plan (LCCAP) implementation.

RRP-CCAM is a program of the National Government, implemented through the DSWD, aimed to strengthen the resiliency of both natural systems and the urban built environment as well as adaptive capacities of vulnerable groups and communities. It targets the seven (7) major river basins in the country, ascertaining sustainable water supply and food production and at the same time addressing the adverse impact of flooding due to climate change.

 

Through the program, beneficiaries can avail of the Cash-for-Work scheme, and shall render ten (10) days’ work, earning a wage equivalent to 75% of the prevailing daily wage rate of the region. They shall render community works to the identified projects of the Barangay related to preparedness, mitigation, climate change adaptation including hunger mitigation and food security projects.

With the current pandemic faced by the country, DSWD FO Caraga hopes to promote Food Security and Climate Change Adaptation. It is believed that food security is one of the things that should be developed in a community to prepare for future crises.

 

Food Security, as defined by the United Nation’s Committee on World Food Security, means that all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their food preferences and dietary needs for an active and healthy life.

 

According to the World Bank, this pandemic has disrupted the food supply chains which affected the food production, and loss of income and remittances are creating strong tensions and food security risks in many countries. The shortage of Labor force— due to morbidity, movement restrictions, and physical distancing rules, are starting to impact producers, processors, traders and logistics companies in food supply chain. And at the same time, loss of income and remittances is reducing people’s ability to buy food and compensate farmers for their production.

 

As this pandemic continues, it is very crucial to ensure food security for all. This is why DSWD, through the RRP-CCAM, has particularly chosen to focus on this matter, and hopefully help during this time of pandemic.

 

RRP-CCAM as one of the initiatives of the DSWD created to mitigate the effects of Climate Change and to prepare for future disaster occurrences. DSWD will continue to implement programs and projects with the community and for the welfare of the community.