The Department of Social Welfare and Development on Friday said it is closely working with the Department of Agriculture and the United Nations-World Food Program for the pilot implementation of Project LAWA or the Local Adaptation to Water Access in selected municipalities in the archipelago to mitigate the looming impact of the El Niño phenomenon in 2024.

Officially launched on 31 August, Project LAWA is an initiative of the DSWD, through the Disaster Response Management Bureau which aims to provide a sustainable solution and proactive intervention that will address the challenges faced by poor communities during periods of severe drought, ultimately mitigating the threat of water scarcity.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said Project LAWA is designed to comprehensively address the detrimental consequences and impacts of El Niño.