PRDPinFOCUS Cordillera | Jan-March 2023

43K Cordi households reap gains under DA-PRDP infra dev component

Over 43, 000 households in the Cordillera Administrative Region are now reaping the benefits from 48 completed agri-infrastructure subprojects (SPs) implemented under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP), one of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) flagship programs.

With eight years of implementation, the DA-PRDP has completed the construction and improvement of 126 kilometers of farm-to-market roads, nine irrigation systems servicing 212 hectares, 19 other agri-infrastructures (warehouse,

tramlines, etc.), and has provided several communities with access to potable water – from December 2014 to December 2022 in the Cordillera provinces.

As of December 31, 2022, the Regional Project Coordination Office (RPCO) – CAR has completed 48 infrastructure SPs amounting to PhP2.56 billion while three (3) SPs amounting to PhP369.57 million are ongoing and one SP with No Objection Letter 1 (NOL1). The ongoing SPs are financed under the 2nd Additional Financing (AF2).

The province of Ifugao has the highest number of completed infrastructure SPs with 17 SPs amounting to PhP583 million, followed by the province of Benguet with 11 SPs (PhP533 million), and Apayao with eight SPs (PhP290 million). Meanwhile, the province of Kalinga has the highest cost of completed infrastructure SPs totaling to PhP794 million with five SPs, followed by the province of Ifugao, and Mountain Province with PhP327 million (6 SPs).

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43K Cordi... (from page 1)

The province of Abra has the least cost of completed infrastructure SPs amounting to PhP30 million (1 SP).

As the project shifts to a new phase following the implementation of the PRDP Original Loan (OL) in 2014, PRDP Additional Financing (AF1) in 2018, and PRDP AF2 in 2022, the PRDP Scale-Up will roll out a new basis for investment through a regional and interprovincial perspective in investment and planning.

While the PRDP OL and the AF1 were committed to achieving increased productivity, incomes, and climate resiliency in rural communities; and the AF2 in addressing the demands of the New

Normal (post-COVID), the PRDP Scale-Up will highlight clustering and consolidation as a strategy, enhanced participation of the private sector, and climate resiliency of project interventions. It is set to be implemented this year until 2029.

With this, the RPCO-CAR has been conducting preliminary activities to ensure that project stakeholders are looped in early on and to assess the feasibility of proposed SPs. These activities include the conduct of orientations to provincial and municipal LGUs and validation of proposed infrastructure SPs for possible funding under the PRDP Scale-Up.

Several LGUs have already expressed their intent to participate

in the PRDP Scale-Up with their submission of requests for SP validation. To date, more than 20 infrastructure SPs are now undergoing validation process at the RPCO-CAR level. If found feasible, the implementing LGUs will then prepare the necessary documents and requirements.

Under the infrastructure component or I-BUILD, the focus will be on delivering climateresilient access and value chain infrastructure support to build up food distribution hubs and logistics systems. Infrastructure development proposals should still be anchored on the Provincial Commodity Investment Plan (PCIP)/ Regional Agri-Fishery Investment Portfolio (RAFIP)./ (Elvy T. Estacio, RPCO-CAR)

DA-PRDP Okays start-up coffee enterprise in Mountain Province

The Aliwes Irrigators Association, Inc. in Bontoc, Mountain Province can now proceed with the procurement process for their start-up enterprise subproject on coffee consolidation, processing and marketing, after receiving the green light from the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP).

Through the DA-PRDP Regional Project Coordination Office – CAR (RPCO-CAR), the first No Objection Letter (NOL 1) was formally issued on December 29, 2022 allowing the Aliwes Irrigators Association, the Proponent Group (PG) of the enterprise subproject, to proceed with the procurement process.

The PG’s start-up enterprise involves the establishment of a coffee processing center, working capital, a hauling vehicle, and coffee processing machineries and supplies. Through their enterprise, the Aliwes Irrigators Association will engage in the consolidation, trading, and marketing of quality arabica coffee green beans

following the Philippine National Standards (PNS). At the farmer level, it aims to increase the average net income of individual coffee farmer-beneficiary with an average of at least 50.80% annual increase within its 10 years of operation.

The PG shelled out a total of PhP2.25 million (cash and in-kind) counterpart of the total PhP11.12 million total project cost.

The PG will undertake Community Participation - Community Force Account (CFA) as the mode of procurement wherein they will handle the purchasing of raw materials, equipment, and other goods as specified in their business plan except for the civil works.

“The BAC of the DA-CAR will be handling the bidding process for the construction of the PG’s coffee processing center,” said RPCO-CAR Procurement Officer Engr. Roiston Z. Carame./ (Elvy T. Estacio, RPCO-CAR)

New road project inaugurated in Tadian

Farmers and residents from all the barangays of Besao, seven barangays of Tadian and one barangay of Quirino, Ilocos Sur are now directly benefitting from the 4.154-kilometer road stretch of the improved second segment of the Besao-Nacawang and Tadian Mabalite Farm-to-MarketRoad (FMR), a completed road project under the Department of Agriculture - Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) that was implemented by the Provincial Government of Mountain Province.

Held on February 8, 2023 at Barangay Batayan, Tadian, the inauguration and turnover ceremonies of the 91.867-millionpeso project were led by Mountain Province Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr., together with DACAR Regional Executive Director Cameron P. Odsey, Vice Governor Francis O. Tauli, and Tadian Mayor Constito S. Masweng.

During the program, Director Odsey said that the completed project

will reduce post - harvest losses of farmers due to the shortened transport time of perishable agricultural products. Also, he said that the FMR will support commodities of the influence areas such as coffee, heirloom rice, vegetables, and fruits.

“The good practice of politicians in the province, their ability to set aside differences and instead work together for the implementation of projects, is one of driving factors towards the successful implementation of projects,” expressed Dir. Odsey.

In his message, Governor Lacwasan thanked the DA for bringing many development projects and programs to the province. He also lauded the different stakeholders and implementing units who did their parts for the realization of the project and, likewise, congratulated the beneficiaries who are now enjoying better road access.

Meanwhile, Mayor Masweng also expressed his gratitude to the DA for bringing the project to their municipality and to the Provincial Government for efficiently implementing it. He also thanked the Barangay Captains, elders and other stakeholders who did their part to assure the smooth implementation of the project.

In their respective messages, the present barangay captains from the affected barangays were one in expressing their gratitude to the DA-RFO-CAR, provincial and Tadian municipal officials and to other concerned offices who worked for the completion of the road project that is now benefiting their constituents.

They further attested to the direct benefits of the project. Some officials also mentioned the reduction of the hauling cost of outputs and inputs and the possible expansion of the existing coffee plantation in the area due to the improved road conditions./ (Erwin

S. Batnag,

PIO Mountain Province)

Farmer association in Sablan receives PhP1.74M-worth enterprise support from DA-PRDP

The Beckes-Bulala-Talete Ube Farmers Association (BBTUFA) in Sablan, Benguet can now fully operate their enterprise subproject on Ubi Production and Marketing after it was formally turned over to them last February 10, 2023.

Held at barangay Bayabas in the municipality of Sablan, members and officers of the BBTUFA convened to celebrate the completion and turnover of their enterprise subproject under the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP). Also turned over to them was the mini warehouse that was funded under the DA-CAR Rice Program.

Officials from the municipal LGU of Sablan, representatives from the DA, and from the Good Shepherd, among others, were present during the turnover ceremony.

In his message, Sablan Mayor Alfredo B. Dacumos, Jr. acknowledged the efforts of the BBTUFA to acquire interventions from the national government to help their fellow farmers.

“Bantayan tayo, simpaen tayo dagitoy nga naawat yo from the national government ket pagtitinulungan mi met iti munisipyo ti Sablan nga mangkita ti daduma pay nga pagsayaatan para ti development ti agriculture ditoy Sablan, (Let us protect and take good care of these projects. At the same time, we will help our local farmers with other ways and means to development agriculture in Sablan Town),” the mayor said.

DA-PRDP Regional I-REAP Component Head Jocelyn W. Beray gave a brief overview of the BBTUFA’s enterprise subproject and challenged the association to look back into their Business Plan, and operate it to fulfill the objectives of their enterprise.

As she accepted the turnover certificates, BBTUFA President Myrcita C. Basilio expressed her gratitude to the DA-PRDP and to the members of BBTUFA who helped them complete their projects.

“Naragsak kami la unay nga mang akseptar kadagitoy nga bendisyon nga inpaay yo. Na challenge kami ti PRDP ket inkarkarigatan mi tapnu macomply amin nga requirements ket salamat iti amin nga tinmultulong (We are happy to receive these interventions. We are challenged by the thrust of PRDP and we will do our best to comply with all the requirements to manage the interventions. We also thank all who helped and supported us),”

expressed Basilio.

Together with the members of the BBTUFA, Basilio further committed to take good care of the interventions they received so that it can also be passed on to the next generations to come.

For the operation of their enterprise, the BBTUFA received 20 units hole digger, 20 units knapsack sprayer, 20 rolls tie wire, 20 units dig bar, 7 units collapsible tent, 150 pcs crates, 4 units shredders, 20 pcs woven basket (kayabang), weighing scale, 20 units batulang/gamata, ubi sets worth PhP724,500.00 and a working capital amounting to PhP268,960.00.

With the additional goods to support their ubi enterprise, Basilio now looks forward to increased productivity and that more ube farmers will be served through the enterprise./ (Elvy T. Estacio, RPCOCAR)

RPCO-CAR I-REAP Component Head Jocelyn W. Beray hands over the certificate of turnover to Sablan Mayor Alfredo B. Dacumos Jr. and BBTUFA President Myrcita C. Basilio.

Spurring growth in the Cordillera through enterprise development

As most of the livelihood activities in the Cordillera are agriculture-based, inculcating rural entrepreneurship among farm families through Farmer Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs) can broaden their income opportunities.

With enterprise support from the Department of Agriculture

- Philippine Rural Development Project’s (DA-PRDP) I-REAP (Enterprise Development) Component, investments that restore and improve food availability, accessibility and affordability of priority agricultural commodities are provided.

From December 2014 to December 2022, 73 FCAs in CAR are now benefitting from 51 completed enterprise development subprojects (SPs) worth PhP147 million in total. Among the 51 SPs, 38 are micro enterprises on restoration/ rehabilitation and upgrading, while the rest are start-up and upgrading

small enterprises. These enterprise SPs provide support services to farmers in the form of facilities, machineries, and equipment including services on consolidation, processing, and marketing.

Benguet has the most number of enterprise SPs with 21 completed SPs amounting to PhP34.46 million, followed by Mountain Province with 10 completed SPs amounting to PhP30.63 million, and Apayao with four completed SPs amounting to PhP22.77 million.

In addition, four new enterprise SPs worth PhP36.5 million were recently approved in the last quarter of 2022 and are now under procurement process.

To date, the Regional Project Coordination Office (RPCO)- CAR have been continuously conducting monitoring and coaching activities as well as capability trainings to the FCAs or Proponent Groups (PGs)

with completed enterprise SPs to help them sustain and better implement these.

Likewise, they are constantly being assisted and trained on several monitoring tools such as the Enterprise Operations and Monitoring System (EOMS) among others, which would help them organize and systematize traditional ways of monitoring the operations of their enterprise SPs.

In the implementation of the PRDP Scale-Up this year up to 2029, actors within the commodity value chains such as smallholder farmers and fisher groups, FCAs, clusters of FCAs, among others are eligible proponents of enterprise investments. LGUs at the provincial, municipal, and city levels are also eligible proponents not only for infrastructure investments but for enterprise investments as well.

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DA-PRDP holds PCIP assessment in Kalinga

Different stakeholders in Kalinga convened to assess the institutionalization of the province’s Commodity Investment Plan (CIP) from February 7-10, 2023 in Tabuk City, Kalinga.

The Provincial Commodity Investment Plan (PCIP) is a science-based planning tool of the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) that has been serving as a blueprint for developing relevant interventions and investment opportunities to support priority commodities in different regions.

The assessment was held to examine the tool's effectiveness and usefulness in identifying and implementing agri-fishery projects, particularly in the province of Kalinga.

Spearheaded by the I-PLAN Component, the assessment was jointly conducted by the Regional Project Coordination Office –Cordillera Administrative Region (RPCO-CAR) and Project Support Office (PSO).

As part of the activity, Focus Group Discussions and Key Informant Interviews among the participating industry players from the LGU, farmer cooperatives, and other government agencies were done to generate essential data relative to the level of integration or institutionalization of the commodity investment plan at the LGU level, in terms of the formulation process, implementation, and emerging benefits from utilizing the tool.

Specifically, the administered guide questions seek to know the level of participation or involvement of the stakeholders and the facilitating and constraining factors in PCIP formulation/updating, and utilization of the tool in the context of planning, programming, and budgeting processes, and investment prioritization with and without the CIP.

Likewise, it intends to spot issues, gaps, and best practices and recommend strategies and approaches to maximize the use of PCIP to guide the LGUs in planning and developing their agri-fishery sector.

According to Kalinga Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Flordeliza G. Moldero, the PCIP has been very useful in coming up with and prioritizing interventions based on the Value Chain Analysis (VCA) results.

“Before PCIP, we plan and prepare our local development programs based on a general assessment of our agriculture sector. But now, with PCIP, we were given a more rational and transparent process of identifying projects that focus on supporting our prime commodities, such as the heirloom rice, banana, and coffee,” Moldero said.

She added that they find the PCIP very useful, as it serves as their main reference or menu of eligible projects that will be prioritized for funding and will address the gaps identified in the VCA.

Meanwhile, Provincial Agriculturist and Provincial Project Management and Implementing Unit (PPMIU) head Engr. Domingo Bakilan said that agricultural activities in terms of the production of their champion commodities – rice, coffee, and banana, increased after the completion of interventions from PRDP, which immensely helped the farmers in the influence area.

Findings from the assessment will be analyzed to formulate strategies for enhancing PCIP formulation and utilization. A similar activity will also be conducted in select provinces in the North Luzon cluster to assess the effectiveness and usefulness of the PCIP as a planning tool.

Currently, 22 provinces and one (1) city in the North Luzon cluster have already adopted the PCIP covering a total of 24 agri-fishery commodities./ (Ericson T. Guiao, PSO North Luzon Cluster)

MPartner stakeholders shares their insights and experiences on the use of the PCIP in a Focus Group Discussion facilitated by the M&E Unit during the PCIP Assessment held in Kalinga on February 7-10, 2023.

PWS projects: Charting a course towards safe water and sanitation in the Cordillera

Time spent from collecting safe water could mean a loss in one’s income opportunities especially for people in a community who spends hours, multiple times a day, fetching and carrying buckets of water sourced from spring and/or communal tap stands.

Cordillera’s forestlands are a massive headwater source not just for the region, but for its neighboring regions as well. And while spring water sources are abundant, some households have yet to get convenient access to potable water.

Local folks would tap their potable water from the side of the mountain that leads towards the community. Some would improvise water piping, which is prone to damage and contamination, and others opt to fetch from springs even if it takes them hours to carry it to their homes.

During dry season, the main source of water is insufficient to supply the needs of the communities. And during rainy season, the scarcity of safe and clean water becomes a problem and cases of water-borne illnesses increase.

Under the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP), more than 3,500 households in the provinces of Ifugao and Mountain Province are now benefiting from seven (7) Level II Potable Water System (PWS) subprojects that were constructed and completed in the preceding years. Another PWS subproject in Mountain Province was recently approved and construction works are about to begin, while eight are in the pipeline for approval or validation.

With varied subproject costs, ranging from PhP2 million to more than PhP6 million, each PWS subproject includes the construction of an intake-tank, a distribution

tank, and the installation of pipeline distribution network in the recipient communities.

Aside from providing access to potable water, saving time from fetching water, and providing 100% sanitation, these PWS subprojects were proposed to improve health living conditions thereby reducing cost of medical expenses caused by water-borne diseases.

The construction of these PWS subprojects have also brought in employment opportunities for the locals for they were hired as laborers.

Meanwhile, monitoring activities such as the Operations and Maintenance Audit System (OMAS) are regularly conducted by the DA. Good results are evident based on the status of the PWS subprojects and according to the testimonies of subproject beneficiaries as well.

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Spurring growth... (from page 5)

Moreover, the project will partner with private business entities that are willing to enter into marketing contracts or buy-back agreements with partner FCAs/ FCA cluster wherein they can provide cash/in-kind investments such as equipment, facilities, or infrastructures to the SPs. Financial institutions and insurance companies will also be tapped to help them with their financing requirements and insurance coverage.

Eligible subprojects for possible funding can be on input supply, production, consolidation, postharvest, processing, and marketing. Proposals should be anchored on the PCIPs and RAFIP. (Elvy T. Estacio, RPCO-CAR)

PWS projects... (from page 7)

Fridie Lagayon, a beneficiary of the Cambulo PWS and the President of the Partog-Balihong Water Works and Environmental Workers Association at barangay Cambulo, Banaue, Ifugao, shared that the constructed PWS subproject in their village has greatly helped the villagers with their everyday household tasks.

“Agyaman kami ta ada daytoy nga project ket haan kamin nga maki saksakdo ken ada nalaka nga pag alaan ti danom nga pang luto mi, ket ay-aywanan mi daytoy ta pagsayaatan mi daytoy,” Lagayon expressed.

The maintenance of some PWS subprojects are under the barangay

local government, while some are cared of by Peoples’ Organizations.

The realization of these infrastructure subprojects is beneficial especially the vulnerable individuals who are not physically able to carry heavy loads, the women who do most of the household works, and the children who are susceptible to water-borne diseases.

While PRDP’s main focus is ensuring development of priority commodities with relevant enterprises and infrastructures, the Project also recognizes the complementing role of healthy communities to make these investments sustainable./ (Elvy T. Estacio RPCO-CAR)

in safeguards compliance for the ongoing I-BUILD subproject Improvement of Banneng-DarulogBawac Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) in the North Luzon Cluster. They were also acknowledged for being the best PLGU in the adoption and practice of applied geotagging tools (AGT) in CAR.

The Department of AgriculturePhilippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) awards outstanding implementers in the Cordillera during the PRDP North Luzon Cluster general assembly with local government units held on February 15, 2023 in Olongapo City, Zambales.

The Regional Project Coordination Office-CAR (RPCO-CAR) was given plaques of recognition for obtaining the highest cumulative disbursement rate (110.15%) for all I-BUILD

subprojects under the Original Loan (OL) for the year 2022 and for having successfully approved the Value Chain Analysis (VCA) for highland vegetables.

The provincial government of Mountain Province was recognized for obtaining the highest percentage rate of sustainable enterprise subprojects in CAR.

The provincial government of Kalinga was presented with an award for being the best implementing PLGU

PRDPinF CUS

The municipal government of Aguinaldo, Ifugao was recognized for being the fastest LGU in safeguards compliance for the ongoing I-BUILD subproject Improvement of Ubao-Manaot FMR under the second Additional Financing (AF2).

Meanwhile, Elvy T. Estacio, RPCOCAR Writer, was acknowledged as writer of the year for having the most number of articles, including news, feature, and success stories, written and published for the year 2022.

Editor-in-Chief: ROBERT L. DOMOGUEN • Layout & Design: ELVY T. ESTACIO

Writers/Photo Contributors: ELVY T. ESTACIO, ERWIN S. BATNAG, ERICSON T. GUIAO, FRANCIS D. DUMAGAS, STEPHER L. BANHAN, DARRELL S. SUNGA •

Circulation: RODEL MARK U. GARCIA

@prdpcordillera

a quarterly newsletter of the Department of Agriculture - Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) Regional Project Coordination Office - Cordillera Administrative Region (RPCO-CAR). We encourage reproduction of articles and photos with proper acknowledgement.

The RPCO-CAR is located at DA-RFO-CAR, BPI Compound, Guisad, Baguio City.

CORDILLERA