PRDPinFOCUS Cordillera | July to September 2023

PRDPinF CUS CORDILLERA|ABRA • APAYAO • BENGUET • IFUGAO • KALINGA • MOUNTAIN PROVINCE A quarterly newsletter of the Philippine Rural Development Project - Regional Project Coordination Office - CAR

LGUs in CAR oriented on DA-PRDP Scale-up Provincial and municipal LGUs in CAR were oriented on the updated guidelines and documentary requirements of the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) Scale-up, held from August 30 to 31 in Baguio City.

Some Farmer Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs) also participated in the orientation.

The activity was intended to orient existing and new proponent LGUs and FCAs on the updated implementation processes and documentary requirements, Enabling Communities.

Expanding Opportunities.

should they opt to propose new enterprise and infrastructure subprojects for funding under the DA-PRDP Scale-up.

During the orientation, Regional Project Coordination Office (RPCO)-CAR I-PLAN Component Head Dr. Susan D. Balanza, representing OIC-Regional Executive Director Atty. Jennilyn M. Dawayan highlighted that the PRDP is a commodity-based special project, unlike the other subprojects implemented under the DA, which are communitybased.

“In PRDP, enterprise and infrastructure subprojects are implemented to support specific commodities; the enterprise subprojects generate income to benefit its members and the community as well. There are also additional economic contributions such as job generation, and at the same time, through the enterprise, you are demanding production from specific commodities as your input,” expressed Dr. Balanza.

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LGUs in CAR oriented... (from page 1) As part of the orientation, the I-REAP guidelines for PRDP Scaleup was presented by National Project Coordination Office (NPCO) I-REAP Alternate Component Head Leny Pecson (via online).

She discussed that in the PRDP Scale-up, the project will partner with private business entities that are willing to enter into marketing contracts or buy-back agreements with partner FCAs/ FCA clusters, wherein they can

provide cash/in-kind investments such as equipment, facilities, or infrastructure to the SPs. RPCO-CAR Rural Infrastructure Engineer Pio A. Farong-ey also discussed updates on the I-BUILD guidelines and requirements and I-PLAN Component Head Dr. Balanza, the updates on I-PLAN. The participants were reminded that the Provincial Commodity Investment Plan (PCIP) should serve as their main industry

map to determine the focus of interventions.

Other discussions included an overview of the updated operations manual and documentary requirements of the PRDP support units and updates on the enterprise operations of completed and ongoing enterprise subprojects in the Cordillera provinces.//

Enterprise PGs in CAR trained on participatory supervision integrating GRM, GAD principles Proponent Groups (PGs) of enterprise subprojects implemented under the Department of AgriculturePhilippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) in CAR were trained on participatory supervision integrating the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) and Gender and Development (GAD).

The training was intended to orient the participants on PRDP GRM framework and capacitate them on gender-sensitive participatory management and supervision.

It was held in two batches: from June 21 to 22 for PGs based in the provinces of Benguet, Apayao, Abra, and Kalinga, and from August 23 to 24 for PGs based in the provinces of Ifugao and Mountain Province.

Among the topics discussed were an overview of the PRDP 2

Integrated Environmental and Social Safeguards Framework, GRM, integration of GAD in the project development process, and participatory supervision values and principles.

During the lecture on GAD, DACAR Information Section Head and GAD Assistant Focal Person Aida Pagtan stressed the integration of GAD principles not only during implementation but starting at the planning phase.

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Social and Environmental Safeguards (SES) Officer Jesusa Surla from Regional Project Coordination Office Region III discussed the topics on GRM and participatory supervision values and principles. She emphasized the importance of seeking feedback from their members/beneficiaries and handling/resolving complaints/ grievances and how these affect the operation of their enterprise subprojects.//

Enabling Communities.

Expanding Opportunities.

Over PhP233M-worth DA-PRDP subprojects turned over in Kabayan

From a stiff and narrow road to a two-lane paved road, residents of barangay Batan in Kabayan, Benguet now enjoy a smooth 15-minute ride from Halsema Highway to sitio Colong and another 15 minutes all the way down to sitio Ambakian.

Implemented under the Department of AgriculturePhilippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) and the Provincial LGU of Benguet, the 10.87-km improvement of Km. 49 to Ambakian Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) was formally turned over to its end users on July 4, 2023, at Colong, Batan, Kabayan.

The ceremony was led by

representatives of Congressman Eric Go Yap and Governor Melchor D. Diclas, together with DA-PRDP Project Support Office (PSO) North Luzon Deputy Project Director Elma S. Mananes, DA-CAR Regional Executive Director Cameron P. Odsey, Atok Vice Mayor Angelito Galao Sr., Rogel Bastian representing Kabayan Mayor Florante Bantales Jr., barangay officials of Paoay and Batan, and department heads and staff from the provincial and municipal LGUs.

Engineering, where construction started in September 2020 and was completed in December 2022.

Linking the towns of Atok and Kabayan, the PhP225 million-worth FMR is now benefiting more than 1,200 households in barangays Paoay, Atok, and Batan, Kabayan.

It was undertaken by 3K Rock

In her message, Dir. Mananes manifests that the road improvement will usher in more development for the people in the community.

During the ceremony, Governor Diclas, through his representative, Mario Baucas, expressed his gratitude to the residents for having allowed portions of their properties to be improved. He further thanked the DA-PRDP, the contractor, and the engineers and staff who contributed to the completion of the road project.

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Over PhP233M-worth DA-PRDP... (from page 3)

DA-PRDP PSO North Luzon Deputy Project Director Elma S. Mananes and RPCO-CAR Project Director Cameron P. Odsey hand over the certificate of turnover to the Provincial LGU of Benguet.

“What we want is ‘yung maexperience po natin ang magkaroon ng magandang kalsada para magkaroon ang ating farmers ng magandang access. Hindi lang din naman po farmers ang magbebenefit dito, pero lahat ng members ng community na ito,” said Dir. Mananes.

Dir. Odsey further urged the community members to continue supporting each other and their officials as well.

“Ituloy tayo ti panag titinulong ti umili, panag titinulong ti opisyales.

Tulungan tayo met ti LGU para iti maintenance na daytoy [nga kalsada],” said Dir. Odsey.

The punong barangays of Paoay and Batan also shared their experiences as they dealt with several issues within the

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PSO North Luzon Deputy Project Dir. Elma S. Mananes stresses the role of the residents in operations and maintenance as direct beneficiaries of the FMR.

community that arose before and during the road project implementation. They claimed that their experiences would be forever marked in their terms as LGU officials.

Meanwhile, Batan Punong Barangay Mike Botangen was also thankful to 3K Rock Engineering and Construction for the contractor's field office that was turned over to the barangay LGU of Batan.

Also turned over was the PhP8-million-worth enterprise subproject of the Apanberang Farmers Association (AFA) that was held at barangay Pacso, Kabayan, Benguet.

Three hauling trucks were turned over to the AFA for the implementation of their enterprise

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RPCO-CAR Project Dir. Cameron P. Odsey highlights the importance of unity and support from the community and officials in the implementation of development projects.

subproject on hauling and delivery services. The subproject is seen as addressing the problem of postharvest losses. It will also help the farmers harvest their crops on time and have them delivered to the target market immediately.

During the program, AFA President Rosemarie Dumlao expressed her gratitude to the staff of the Municipal Agriculture Office and the PRDP for assisting them from the start.

The DA-PRDP and LGU officials congratulated the AFA for their success in the establishment of their enterprise. They are now challenged to prepare their operations manual and work to make the aspirations of their members to have a higher income and a better quality of life./

PhP5.48-M coffee consolidation, processing facility to rise in Bontoc The Aliwes Irrigators’ Association, Inc. is another step closer to the realization of their coffee enterprise as they officially broke ground on the construction of their coffee processing center on July 20 at barangay Mainit, Bontoc, Mountain Province.

With a project cost of PhP5.48 million, the facility will support the operation of the group’s enterprise subproject on Arabica Coffee Consolidation, Processing and Marketing under the Department of AgriculturePhilippine Rural Development

Project (DA-PRDP).

A two-ton truck was also turned over to them on the same day. It will likewise be used for the operation of the group’s enterprise subproject, along with several coffee equipment, machineries, and a trading capital of more than PhP288 thousand. In total, the group’s coffee enterprise has a cost of PhP11.12 million of which 20% was shelled out by the association.

Luisa Salingbay, the group’s president, together with Mountain Province Congressman Maximo

Dalog Jr., Provincial Administrator Franklin Odsey, Bontoc Mayor Jerome Tudlong, and DA-CAR Regional Executive Director Cameron P. Odsey led the laying of the capsule during the groundbreaking ceremony.

Also present were several provincial and municipal officials, department heads and staff, representatives from the DA-PRDP, some people’s organizations based in Mainit, and the members and officers of the Aliwes Irrigators’ Association.

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PhP5.48-M coffee consolidation... (from page 5) During the program, Cong. Dalog expressed his commitment to supporting the group’s enterprise.

“I know that this association has gone through a lot, and you will soon reap the fruits of your labor” the congressman said.

As he also expressed his commitment to support the group’s enterprise, Mayor Tudlong challenged them to sustain their enterprise and make it a 'success story.'

“I believe that Aliwes will be the ones to bring out and promote the coffee produce of Bontoc. It’s really a challenge, but rest assured that the MLGU will be at your back,” he said.

Further, Dir. Odsey said that the subproject is not only an enterprise but an instrument to develop our ancestral domain as a source of livelihood. He also urged the group to continue to improve their production, as the LGU and the DA will continue to support them.

Meanwhile, Rosalina Malafu, the group’s manager, hailed the integrity, sacrifice, honesty, and unity demonstrated by the members of the association during the years of the association’s formation until now.

“Soon, we will be harvesting the coffee that brings us closer to realizing the goals of our association to provide and sustain the employment of our people and increase their income,” said Malafu.//

Kabayan breaks ground for new DA-PRDP FMR project with bridge cauliflower, and tomatoes, among other vegetables. It is the second FMR subproject in Kabayan under the Department of AgriculturePhilippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP).

The Municipal LGU of Kabayan, Benguet, officially broke ground for the PhP91.506 million-worth Improvement of Balang-Bocao Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) with Vehicular Bridge at barangay Eddet, Kabayan, on September 5.

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It has a road length of 2.345 kilometers and a vehicular bridge length of 72 linear meters. It is the sole access of Barangay Eddet, servicing around 178 hectares of production area planted with white potatoes, carrots,

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Kabayan Mayor, Engr. Florante B. Bantales Jr., DA-CAR OIC-Regional Executive Director, Jennilyn M. Dawayan, RPCO-CAR I-BUILD Component Head Engr. Gaston B. Cael, together with representatives from the Project Contractor Balintugan Construction, municipal LGU officials/heads, Sangguniang Bayan members, and barangay LGU led by Punong Barangay Eric F. Postino, led the laying of the capsule. Residents of Barangay Eddet also joined to witness the official groundbreaking of the subproject.

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Kabayan breaks ground... (from page 6)

Kabayan Mayor Florante Bantales delivers his message to the community as he assures that he will oversee the completion of the FMR subproject.

DA-CAR OIC-Regional Executive Director and RPCO-CAR Project Director, Atty. Jennilyn M. Dawayan stresses that the monitoring of the subproject implementation is a collective effort of the community as well.

During the program, Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator Engr. Berry Sangao Jr. provided an overview of the subproject and its milestones. He also shared how they, the LGU technical working group, were able to fulfill the compliances and cope with the challenges they encountered in the process of having the subproject approved.

As construction works are about to commence, Municipal Agriculturist Geoffrey Binnaliw asked for the cooperation and understanding of the community since transportation will be limited and they might have to go back to the old means of carrying their agricultural products. He further urged them to reach out to the barangay or to the municipal LGU should there be any issues related to the construction.

Engr. Berry Sangao shares a brief overview and milestones of the FMR subproject.

“This development is very beneficial for the community here and the adjacent barangays as well. This calls for a community effort, so let’s cooperate and support this project,” Binnaliw added.

Eddet Punong Barangay Eric F. Postino committed to supporting and taking care of the subproject together with the community members.

Kabayan Mayor Bantales also assured that he will oversee the implementation of the subproject and that it will be completed in the earliest possible time.

“The LGU and the DA will always work hand in hand to bring enormous and sustainable development to this community,” said Mayor Bantales as he

Municipal Agriculturist Geoffrey Binaliw reminds the residents of barangay Eddet to raise any concerns regarding the road construction to the LGU.

expressed his gratitude to the community members and to everyone involved.

In her message, OIC-Regional Executive Director Atty. Dawayan acknowledged the collaboration, openness, and unity of the LGU and the community for having a common interest and for overcoming the hurdles that came along the way.

“It is our collective responsibility to check and monitor the subproject because this is for the benefit of the community,” said Dir. Dawayan, as she expressed her gratitude for the trust and for the continuing collaboration.

The subproject is expected to be completed in 420 days, around October of next year.//

Eddet Punong Barangay Eric F. Postino shares how elated they are for the long-awaited improvement of the road in their barangay.

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DA-PRDP CORDILLERA

Subproject Updates as of September 30, 2023

LESS THAN 50% PROGRESS

ABOVE 50% PROGRESS

COMPLETED

4

PhP323.86M

3

PhP167M

101

3 Infrastructure Development

1 Infrastructure Development

Development 48 Infrastructure

PhP315M

PhP2.71B

PhP146M

PhP2.55B

1,322

497

43,203

3,692

2,843

212,001

household beneficiaries individual beneficiaries

1 FMR

Improvement of Ubao-Manaot FMR | Aguinaldo, Ifugao

1 PWS (Level II)

household beneficiaries

household beneficiaries individual beneficiaries

individual beneficiaries

1 FMR

12 FMR 1 FMR with Bridge 9 CIS 7 PWS (Level II) 19 Other infrastructures

2 Enterprise Development

Development 53 Enterprise

Improvement of BannengDarulog-Bawac FMR | Tanudan, Kalinga

Construction of Lias PWS Level II | Barlig, Mountain Province

1 FMR with Bridge

Improvement of Balang-Bocao FMR with Vehicular Bridge | Kabayan, Benguet

1 Enterprise Development PhP8.86M

PhP21M

1

2

60

210

Proponent Group/FCA individual beneficiaries

1 Start-up

Aliwes Arabica Coffee Consolidation and Marketing Enterprise | Bontoc, Mountain Province

PhP183.55M 74

Proponent Groups/FCAs

Proponent Groups/FCAs

11,521

individual beneficiaries

individual beneficiaries

2 Start-up

7 Start-up 11 Upgrading/Expansion 35 Restoration/ Rehabilitation

•Carabao Mango Consolidation and Marketing | Bangued, Abra •Bosigan MPC's Highland Vegetable Consoldiation and Markting Enterprise | Mankayan, Benguet

PRDPinF CUS CORDILLERA

is 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.

Editor-in-Chief: ROBERT L. DOMOGUEN Layout & Design: ELVY T. ESTACIO Writers/Photo Contributors: ELVY T. ESTACIO, DALOS S. EMOK Circulation: RODEL MARK U. GARCIA @prdpcordillera

prdp.da.gov.ph

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