Manila, July 17 -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has released PHP31.59 million to poor families in Eastern Visayas for a program designed to mitigate the impact of food insecurity and water scarcity.

The amount represents the payment to 3,900 individuals who took part in training and work in Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, and Southern Leyte provinces under Project LAWA (Local Adaptation to Water Access) at BINHI (Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished).

Each received PHP7,500 during the payout activities on different dates from January to June, DSWD 8 (Eastern Visayas) information officer Jonalyndie Chua said in a phone interview on Thursday.

These beneficiaries have comp...