PRDPinFOCUS Cordillera | October to December 2023

CORDILLERA|ABRA • APAYAO • BENGUET • IFUGAO • KALINGA • MOUNTAIN PROVINCE

Vol. 8 Issue IV Oct. - Dec. 2023

PRDPinF CUS A quarterly newsletter of the Philippine Rural Development Project - Regional Project Coordination Office - CAR

FCAs in CAR convene for 1st PRDP Proponent Group Forum Farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) with enterprise development subprojects implemented under the Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) took center stage in the first Proponent Group (PG) Forum and Product

Promotion held from November 28 to December 1, 2023 in Baguio City.

Led by the DA-PRDP Regional Project Coordination Office (RPCO)-CAR, the event kicked off with the opening of the trade fair at the BPI Compound Flagpole area, Guisad, Baguio City.

The trade fair, which ran for four days, featured various fresh and processed products produced by PGs from the Cordillera provinces.

The event was intended to improve the PGs’ accountability and to further their knowledge and skills in achieving higher production and better income.

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Rice is life: Continuing the legacy of Ifugao’s heirloom rice A legacy we need to protect and sustain—this is how Ana D. Habbiling, an 85-year-old farmer in Banaue, Ifugao, described heirloom rice as a cultural heritage.

“We have been planting the traditional palay ever since we were young. Our parents would always tell us that this rice variety was the only livelihood of our ancestors, and without it, we would not be who and where we are now,” Habbiling expressed.

Enabling Communities.

Expanding Opportunities.

Heirloom rice was created through centuries of cultivation and passed down through generations, hence its name.

For Habbiling, growing heirloom rice goes beyond being a means of livelihood, but a legacy left by her parents for them to sustain.

She shared that heirloom rice varieties have been grown mostly for home consumption and traditionally for social, cultural, and spiritual

purposes. But since the exportation of heirloom rice was introduced to them some 18 years ago, they now only set aside a portion of their produce for family consumption and sell the rest.

Sustaining gains through enterprise development Tinawon, which literally translates to “once a year” in Ifugao, are longseason varieties cultivated just once a year.

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Rice is life... (from page 1)

Development Project (DA-PRDP).

These are grown using traditional farming practices without the aid of chemicals, which adds to its value and quality as an export commodity. As it exhibits exceptional nutritional value, an exquisite aroma, distinct taste, and unique texture, the demand is high for this variety both locally and internationally.

In 2017, RTFC’s enterprise subproject on “Processing and Marketing of Export Quality Ifugao Heirloom Rice” was approved and four years later, it was finally turned over to them.

The exportation of heirloom rice started in 2005. This spurred the establishment of the Rice Terraces Farmers’ Cooperative (RTFC). They became a registered cooperative through the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) a year later and became a certified organic rice producer through the Organic Certification Center of the Philippines (OCCP) in 2011.

Led and managed by Jimmy Lingayo, the RTFC serves as a ready market for the harvest and production of heirloom rice in Ifugao.

When they started their cooperative, Lingayo recalled that they only had 15 members until it gradually grew to more than 300 as they sustained the exportation of heirloom rice for more than a decade.

As they continued to grow while lacking a good processing facility, they were urged to propose an enterprise subproject under the Department of Agriculture - Philippine Rural

With the enterprise support from the DA-PRDP, Lingayo and the RTFC members now have a threestory processing center that can accommodate tons of heirloom rice produce, enough capital to buy heirloom rice palay from their members and pay them upfront, a truck to haul their members’ produce, and several processing equipment.

Currently, the RTFC markets around 1.2 to 1.5 tons of processed heirloom rice per month since starting implementation in 2021. They now have a total membership of 600 farmer-members.

To sustain their enterprise, the RTFC management continues to tap other agencies and institutions for training to improve heirloom rice productivity and encourage their members and other heirloom rice growers to plant the champion varieties that are highly marketable.

“We are gating at a higher price, we are buying their palay at PhP90 to PhP100/kilogram, process it, and sell it for PhP130; and in return for supporting our coop’s business, we give them dividends and invite them to participate in trainings,” Lingayo said.

While the demand for these varieties is high both in local and international markets, reports show that heirloom rice production seems to have dropped due to several factors.

Despite this, the RTFC’s management continues to encourage rice growers to maintain their organic way of rice production and plant champion varieties. They also encourage them to promote their products and source out other funding agencies for the rehabilitation of heirloom rice production areas.

Aside from the buy and sell of heirloom rice, the co-op also provides services such as rice hulling and milling, micro finance loan, and food processing.

Lingayo hopes that visitors would value and support Ifugao's homegrown goods in addition to the beautiful scenery the province has to offer.|

Ms. Ana D. Habbiling, RTFC member, stores heirloom rice palay frsh from the her farm at Amganad, Banaue, Ifugao.

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Located along the national highway in Amganad, Banaue, Ifugao, the processing center also serves as a one-stop-shop or Pasalubong Center where several local products produced by the members of RTFC and other farmer cooperatives and associations in Ifugao are displayed, aside from the co-op’s heirloom rice products.

Mr. Jimmy Lingayo, RTFC Manager, proudly shows some of the processed and packed heirloom rice that are being sold at the RTFC's Heirloom Rice Center/ Pasalubong Center at Amganad. Banaue, Ifugao.

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Enabling Communities.

Expanding Opportunities.

FCAs convene... (from page 1) It also aims to foster collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing geared towards a sustainable and prosperous agriculture.

Around 80 farmer-members from 20 FCAs/PGs in CAR participated in the four-day event.

Representatives from the PRDP Project Support Office (PSO) North Luzon also joined in the activity.

Aside from the trade fair, the event featured plenary sessions on programs and services offered by the Land Bank of the Philippines, Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Agricultural Credit Policy Council, and Food and Drug Administration. There were also special topics on sales promotion practices; customer relations management and customer satisfaction; and value chain analysis. The plenary sessions were

held at Gestdan Centrum, Baguio City, simultaneously with the trade fair.

DA-PRDP Project Support Office (PSO) I-REAP Component Head Ms. Jamesiah Badua-Lompero thanked all the PG members who participated in the event and expressed that she looks forward for the continuous partnership and improved relations among and within the PGs.

DA-PRDP Cordillera holds year-end assessment, LGU partners recognized

The participants also expressed their gratitude to the RPCO-CAR for holding such event where they can enrich their knowledge to enhance their enterprise operations, share and learn from each other’s experiences, and get together with other PGs. After the event, it was reported that the PGs successfully achieved a total sales of P212, 000.00 throughout the 4-day Trade Fair.|

I-BUILD and I-REAP Additional Financing 2 (AF2) subprojects, for having the highest physical progress for I-REAP AF2 subprojects, and for having the highest number of Rapid Appraisal of Emerging Benefits (RAEB) activities conducted,” shared Dir. Mananes.

She further expressed her gratitude to the LGUs for their contributions and support in the implementation of the PRDP from the original loan to the scale-up.

The Department of AgriculturePhilippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) Regional Project Coordination Office (RPCO)-CAR conducted a Year-End Assessment from December 27-29, 2023 in Pugo, La Union to present accomplishments for the year and recognize the performance of implementing LGU partners and staff.

During the event, Project Support

Office (PSO) North Luzon Deputy Project Director Elma S. Mananes presented an overview of the North Luzon cluster accomplishments. She also shared that the cluster received four awards during the NPCO-PSO Year-End Assessment held in Quezon City last week.

“With these accomplishments, we were recognized for having the highest financial progress for both

For a closer look, the status/ accomplishments of AF2 I-BUILD and I-REAP subprojects in the region were presented as well. Under the AF2, the region has four ongoing infrastructure subprojects and four enterprise subprojects of which three are ongoing and one is completed. Under the PRDP Scale-Up, two infrastructure subprojects were already endorsed for No Objection Letter (NOL) 1 approval.

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DA-PRDP Cordillera holds Year-End Assessment... (from page 3) In his message, RPCO-CAR Deputy Project Director Danilo P. Daguio acknowledged the efforts of everyone all through the years and expressed his gratitude for their contributions and good performance.

“Let me also take this opportunity to call for more proposals from the LGUs for PRDP Scale-Up,” added Director Daguio.

The Year-End Assessment concluded with the recognition of LGUs in the implementation of the PRDP: Most actively involved LGUs in the implementation of I-REAP SPs: Mountain Province; Bontoc; Kabayan; and Mankayan Highest consistency in adherence to geomapping and governance standards: Kalinga Most efficient in organizing and conducting management meetings: Benguet Most efficient in subproject implementation and financial disbursement: Kalinga Most improved performance in the operations and maintenance of completed subprojects: Apayao Most efficient in successfully fulfil the tree replacement plan: Kalinga Most efficient in complying with tax deduction of acquired land in the taxable properties of affected persons prior to implementation: Ifugao; Apayao For having the highest number of resolved cases according to the GRM registry: Benguet For having the first infrastructure subproject in CAR to be approved under AF2 funding Barlig For their exemplary practices in the operation and maintenance of the successfully completed Talubin PWS: Bontoc For their outstanding efforts in effectively implementing the ongoing

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Improvement of Ubao - Manaot FMR: Aguinaldo For successfully adopting the use of the Climate Risk & Vulnerability Assessment data in the PCIP: Benguet; Kalinga; Ifugao; and Mountain Province For the committed collaboration with PRDP I-PLAN in updating the LGU tracking system: Benguet; Kalinga; Ifugao; Mountain Province; and Apayao Most efficient I-REAP focal persons: Mary Jane Tumapang; Catherine Agcon; Ceferino Oryan; Engr. Jocelyn Galunza; and Nazario Tuguinay Most active Proponent Group: Bosigan Multipurpose Cooperative

Several RPCO-CAR personnel were also recognized for their exceptional commitment and dedication to the DA-PRDP RPCO-CAR over the course of five to nine years.| 5 years Engr. Edwin B. Camhit 6 years Mr. Christian Aries M. Salgado 7 years Mr. Francis D. Dumagas; Mr. Herdie A. Daysa; Mr. Larenstein D. Bakilan 8 years Ms. Elvy T. Estacio; Mr. Arnel V. Gagujas; Engr. Roiston Z. Carame; Mr. Norberto Corrales Jr. 9 years Ms. Lorna E. Panyo; Ms. Rigi May B. Copatan; Mr. Fuller K. Sabino

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PCIP institutionalization and effectiveness in Mountain Province assessed To look into the effectiveness and level of institutionalization of the Commodity Investment Plan (CIP) at the LGU level, the DA-PRDP Regional Project Coordination Office – CAR, together with the Project Support Office (PSO) North Luzon held an assessment activity in Bontoc, Mountain Province from November 29 – 30, 2023.

Participants were from the attached offices at the PLGU, Department of Agrarian Reform, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources; farmer cooperatives, and other government agencies.

Various stakeholders were invited to gather their insights and experiences on the effectiveness and usefulness of the PRDP planning tool in identifying and implementing agri-fishery projects in the province.

Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) were employed to gather insights from the participants.

A Focus Group Discussion with participants A Focus Group Discussion with participants from several government agencies in Mountain from several FCAs in Mountain Province.

Province.

For Mary Jane Tumapang, Provincial Government Assistant to the Provincial Agriculture Office, the formulation of CIP in their province is a great tool for proposing interventions as it is based on the value chain analysis of priority commodities.

She said that projects in the agriculture sector were only proposalbased, and there were no other valid basis for approval.

"When I entered the Provincial Agriculture Office, there were no Provincial Agricultural Development

Plan. Plans for agriculture used to be incorporated in the provincial master plan that's why interventions are limited," said Tumapang.

She added that she appreciates the formulation of the CIP since it focuses on the agri-fishery sector and on the development of major commodities which have potential in the province.

Meanwhile, findings from the assessment will be analyzed to formulate strategies for enhancing PCIP formulation and utilization in the Mountain Province.| (E. Guiao)

LGU Kiangan receives eligibility certification subproject proposal on the improvement of LamkaMappit Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) for funding under the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) Scale-up. The certification was awarded during the ceremonial launching of DA’s three core projects under the World Bank — the PRDP Scale-up, the Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project (MIADP), and the Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FishCoRe) Project, held yesterday, November 6, in Quezon City.

The Kiangan Municipal Local Government was awarded with an eligibility certification for having successfully complied all the requirements for their

Kiangan Mayor Raldis Bulayungan formally received the eligibility certification from the DA and World Bank dignitaries led by DA Secretary Franciso Tiu Laurel Jr. and World Bank Country Director for Brunei, Malaysia, Thailand, and Philippines Ndiamé Diop. (Photo by Darrel Sunga) PRDPinFOCUS CAR | O c t o b e r - D e c e m b e r 2 0 2 3

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Coffee groups in CAR gain new perspectives from benchmarking visit Around 50 coffee growers from six Proponent Groups (PGs) of coffee enterprise development subprojects implemented under the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) in CAR participated in a four-day benchmarking visit to several coffee centers in the region.

The PGs who joined in the benchmarking visit were Hojap Multipurpose Cooperative (HMPC) from Ifugao; some affiliate PGs of the Benguet Arabica Coffee Enterprise; Sagada Arabica Coffee Growers and Processors Organization (SACGPO) and Bagnen-Balintaugan Timpuyog Credit Cooperative from Mountain Province; and Dupligan Farmers’ Multipurpose Cooperative (DUFAMPCO) from Kalinga.

Representatives from the LGUs also participated in the event.

Held from December 11 to 14, the benchmarking visit was intended for the participants to learn and understand the enterprise components of the coffee centers and organizations they visited, enabling them to compare and evaluate their

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practices, methods, and performance against industry standards or best practices.

The group first visited the Montañosa Coffee Center, managed by the Mountain Province State Polytechnic College (MPSPC) in Bontoc, Mountain Province. A brief discussion was held about the importance of cupping and its role in the quality control of coffee and the history of the Montañosa Coffee Center. After which, the participants had a tour of the center’s facilities, particularly the cupping laboratory and the roasting area.

While in the area, the group also stopped by the Sagada Roastery, which is being managed by the SACGPO, where they had hands-on experience in coffee cupping.

After their visit to Mountain Province, the group visited the coffee processing center of HMPC in Asipulo, Ifugao. The HMPC management shared their existing practices in terms of organizational development and strategies for running their coffee enterprise. They also visited the different facilities provided by several agencies that are being used by HMPC in their coffee business.

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On the last day, the group visited the QRS Farms and at the Kalinga State University Coffee Nursery in Tabuk City, Kalinga, where they were able to gain additional knowledge on Good Agricultural Practices in coffee farm management and pest and disease management, among others.

They also had a dialogue with the management of Kalinga Blend.

The participants expressed their gratitude to the DA-PRDP and to the hosts of the benchmarking event, for accommodating them in the past days and for sharing their good practices and strategies.

“We are thankful for the opportunity to learn new things that we can apply in our cooperative and coffee business. For coffee growers in particular, it was a great opportunity to learn from other growers and benchmark to improve the quality of their production. I hope this becomes an annual activity for PRDP PGs,” shared Shirley Tagtag, HMPC Manager.

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Coffee groups in CAR gain new perspectives... (from page 6)

DA-PRDP conducts investment forums in the Cordillera provinces

The exchange of knowledge, best practices, and establishment of networks forged during this benchmarking initiative not only empower the PGs, but contribute to the collective growth and resilience of the entire coffee farming community.

As they continue to implement positive changes inspired by their benchmarking experience, they pave the way for a more sustainable, productive, and prosperous future for coffee cultivation.| Engr. Jocelyn Galunza of OPAG Benguet welcomes the participants during the investment forum held at City Travel Hotel, Baguio City.

Hands-on cupping activity at the Sagada Gold Roastery.

FCAs and LGU staff participates in the investment forum held at Archog's Hotel, Bontoc, Mountain Province.

A tour of the facilities at the Montañosa Coffee Center in Bontoc, Mountain Province.

Group photo in Sagada, Mountain Province.

Opportunities sparked for Cordillera farmers after the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) Regional Project Coordination Office-CAR held a series of investment forums in the Cordillera provinces this fourth quarter.

The forums, which were held in several dates and locations, sought to explore potential linkages and partnership among the farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs), local government units, DACAR, and private agribusiness entities.

The forums focused on the potential agriculture investment areas based on the Value Chain Analyses (VCA) of priority commodities in the region as specified in each of the provinces’ Commodity Investment Plans.

Farm visit at QRS Farms in Tabuk City, Kalinga.

Group photo at Hojap MPC's main office in barangay Haliap, Asipulo, Ifugao.

Through the investment forums, the participants were also informed on the I-REAP process under the PRDP Scale-Up, the Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation (F2C2) Program, and the programs offered by the invited private agribusiness entities such as the AgriTERRA and the Taloy Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative among others.

The investment forums conducted also served as call for enterprise subproject proposals under the DA-PRDP Scale-Up.| PRDPinFOCUS CAR | O c t o b e r - D e c e m b e r 2 0 2 3

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DA-PRDP CORDILLERA

Subproject Updates as of December 31, 2023 ORIGINAL LOAN

1ST ADDITIONAL FINANCING

2ND ADDITIONAL FINANCING

PhP1.727 B

PhP977 M

PhP497.583 M

100% Completed

100% Completed

40 Infrastructure Development PhP1.580 B Total Cost of SPs

8 Infrastructure Development

4 Infrastructure Development

PhP977 M

PhP461 M

Total Cost of SPs

39,241

Total Cost of SPs

3,962

household beneficiaries

1,819

household beneficiaries

193,692

household beneficiaries

18,794

individual beneficiaries

6,535

individual beneficiaries

8 Farm-to-Market Road 7 Potable Water System (Level II) 9 Communal Irrigation System 16 Other Infrastructures

individual beneficiaries

4 Farm-to-Market Road 1 Farm-to-Market Road with Bridge 3 Other Infrastructures

52 Enterprise Development PhP147.435 M Total Cost of SPs

2 Farm-to-Market Road

Status: More than 50% progress (2)

1 Farm-to-Market Road with Bridge Status: Less than 50% progress (1)

1 Potable Water System (Level II) Status: More than 50% progress (1)

3 Enterprise Development PhP36.504 M

1,322

Total Cost of SPs

Proponent Groups

4

3,692

Proponent Groups

individual beneficiaries

348

6 Start-up

Individual beneficiaries

6 Small Enterprise

11 Upgrading/Expansion 3 Micro Enterprise 8 Small Enterprise

35 Restoration/Rehabilitation I-BUILD SP Cost Distribution by Province (OL+AF1+AF2)

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.

4 Start-up

4 Small Enterprise Status: Completed (2) More than 50% progress (2)

I-REAP SP Cost Distribution by Province (OL+AF2)

Layout & Design: ELVY T. ESTACIO Writers/Photo Contributors: ELVY T. ESTACIO, DALOS S. EMOK , DARREL SUNGA, ERICSON GUIAO, DETLEEF CAMPOS Circulation: RODEL MARK U. GARCIA @prdpcordillera

prdp.da.gov.ph

(074) 661-4408

prdpcar@gmail.com