LEGAZPI CITY, June 18 -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 5 (Bicol) has begun the regionwide payout for its food and water security initiative, providing cash assistance to beneficiaries who completed livelihood and community-based activities under Project LAWA and BINHI.

DSWD-5 Disaster Response Management Division Chief Claudio Villareal said the payout started in Daraga, Albay on Wednesday, with 200 partner-beneficiaries from barangays Penafrancia, Anislag, Maopi, and Bigao receiving PHP8,700 each after completing the program's 20-day Cash-for-Training and Cash-for-Work activities. An ongoing payout is being conducted in Tabaco City with the same number of beneficiaries.

The 9,000 beneficiaries come from 30 mu...