PRDP InFocus sa Caraga (January - June 2016)

PRDP promotes LGU

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Commodity Investment Plan

A SA CARAG

by Fretcher Magatao

DA–Regional Project Coordination Office (RPCO) 13 spearheads the conduct of Provincial Commodity Investment Plan (PCIP) Updating Workshop to assist the Provincial Project Management Implementing Unit (PPMIU) of Surigao del Norte in enhancing its development-planning strategies for the province.

The review of PCIP headed by the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) I-PLAN Component aims to improve the Agricultural and Fisheries Modernization Plan (AFMP) through science-based tools and to harmonize provincial and municipal AFMP through the formulation of updated PCIP using the value chain approach.

“We work based on produced value chain analysis (VCA) of the province. Now is the time to review and revisit the PCIP in order for us to align our actions for agricultural development for the benefit of the farmers and industry players of a particular commodity,” said Jodel Tabada, RPCO I-PLAN Component Head.

Tabada said that PCIP serves as basis for selecting eligible interventions under the infrastructure (I-BUILD) and enterprise development

THE OFFICIAL SEMESTRAL NEWSLETTER OF PHILIPPINE RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT REGIONAL PROJECT COORDINATION OFFICE - CARAGA

PRDP Accepts 1.39 Billion Worth of Infra Projects for Caraga

by Fretcher Magatao

(I-REAP) components of PRDP. Its integration in the planning process of the LGUs, DA and other government agencies can create a convergence of interventions for better development of the locality.

Crafting out a better commodity investment plan needs consultation with the stakeholders including the concerned agencies.

“We need to involve the stakeholders for a particular commodity on the proposed interventions,” said Cerenio Tila, I-PLAN Specialist from Mindanao Project Support Office.

The Province of Surigao del

Editorial Board

Writers (Provincial InfoACE Focal):

Consultants/Technical Advisers

Nelsa O. Auron Butuan City

Renato P. Manantan Project Director Jodel A. Tabada OIC, Deputy Project Director

VOL. 1 ISSUE. 1 January - June 2016

Edgar M. Palarca, Jr. Agusan del Norte Armando Gomez Agusan del Sur

Emmylou T. Presilda Editor-in-Chief

Meryjul Escalante Surigao del Norte

Fretcher D. Magatao Writer and Layout Artist

Marjorie Pagaran Surigao del Sur

Wilfredo C. Abrea Photographer/Videographer

Millard Tawakal Province of Dinagat Islands

Norte has identified six priority commodities for development which include coconut, cassava, banana, cacao, mango and coffee. They have also proposed an enterprise project on seaweeds production and marketing.

Through the updating workshop, the LGU is encouraged to identify in the PCIP potential fund sources in accessing interventions not only through PRDP but also with other government agencies before they can endorse its output to the Provincial Development Council (PDC).

GA sa CARA

is a quarterly newsletter of the Department of Agriculture (DA) - Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) - RPCO - CARAGA. For comments, suggestions and article contributions Email us at: da13caragainfo@gmail.com Visit us at: www.daprdp.net Facebook: www.facebook.com/darfo13

DA–REGIONAL PROJECT COORDINATION OFFICE (RPCO)–13 reports during the Mindanao Project Support Office (PSO) and RPCO coordination meeting in San Agustin, Surigao del Sur that the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) has already accepted a total of P1,394,012,914 worth of infrastructure projects for Caraga.

The total amount translates to a total of twenty-two projects composed of one cummunal irrigation system (CIS), one warehouse (infra component for abaca fiber production and trading enhancement), and twenty farm-to-market roads (FMR) which four of these amounting to P 80,141,849 have already started the construction.

“We are glad that there are local government units (LGU) who are already witnessing the ongoing work of PRDP; they are now seeing the fruits of their labor,” said Engr. Rene Morales, RPCO I-BUILD Component Head.

Three ongoing FMRs are being established in Talacogon, Esperanza and Veruela, Agusan del Sur which aggregately create a total of 6.88 km of concrete roads and a 1 km of FMR is also being constructed in Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte.

Applying for a project in PRDP follows rigorous process from submitting numerous requirements up to the final approval of the project

9, 064 FARMER BENEFICIARIES Construction of 2.48 km Batucan-Malihao-Del Monte Farmto-Market Road that would cover more than 100 hectares of influence area. (Photo by Fred Abrea)

which the LGU plays a major role through the Provincial Project Management Implementing Units (PPMIU).

Twelve other projects amounting to P 707,352,908 are already in the procurement process and six projects amounting to P 606,518,157 are still under review of the National Project Coordination Office (NPCO).

The Intensified Building-Up of Infrastructure and Logistics for Development (I-BUILD) team in the region is doing its best to achieve its targets and working closely with the LGUs in letting the farmers pass through concrete roads for the

transfer of goods to the market as soon as possible.

“PRDP’s performance has been very impressive and it is still welcoming additional project proposals for the improvement of the lives of our dear farmers and fishers in the countryside,” said Director Lealyn Ramos, Project Director of Mindanao PSO.

I-BUILD aims to put in place strategic and climate-resilient rural infrastructure facilities along the value chain of identified commodities. These infrastructure projects would translate >>> cont’d on page 3

PRDP Infra Projects amounting to 109M expected in Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte

by Fretcher Magatao

FIVE FMR’s FOR AGUSAN NORTE Five FMRs for the municipalities of Kitcharao, Santiago, Nasipit, and Cabadbaran City that would aggregately benefit 12, 707 farmers. (Photo by Fred Abrea)

AGRICULTURE SECRETARY PROCESO ALCALA awards the certificate of No Objection Letter (NOL) or notice to proceed for the PRDP I-BUILD subprojects amounting to P 109 Million to the LGUs of Agusan del Norte (ADN) and Surigao del Norte (SDN).

Alcala in his recent visit in the region reassured the farmers and fishers that the goverment will stay true to its commitment in delivering the goods and services for agricultural development, “As much as possible we want all the projects intended to our dear farmers be delivered for we understand that these things will translate to better production and increase in income,” said Alcala during the farmers’ forum.

I-BUILD known as Intensified Build Up of Infrastructre and Logistics for Developement aims to put in place 2 | PRDP In Focus - CARAGA

climate resilient farm-to-market roads (FMR), bridges, communal irrigation and potable water systems.

The Municipality of Nasipit, ADN was assured for the rehabilitation of Culit Cummunal Irrigation System worth P 34 Million through the issuance of NOL 1. The realization of the project would benefit up to 100 hectares of rice area.

The construction of 3.32 km.

Jubgan–Binocaran FMR worth P 40 Million of Malimono, SDN was also made possible through the issuance of the same NOL.

A subproject with NOL 1 means allowing the proponent LGUs to proceed with procurement process and a NOL 2 means allowing them to proceed with awarding of contracts to the winning bidders.

After a thorough and systematic procurement process, the Municipality of Kitcharao was finally

issued NOL 2 for the construction of 1.56 km. Sangay–Mahayahay FMR worth P 15 Million. “Not far from now, our farmers will be more inspired toiling on the ground seeing a concrete road where they can easily transport their produce,” said Mayor Aristotle Montante.

The Municipality of Sison, SDN also received NOL 2 for the construction of 1.82 km.

Gacepan–Mayag FMR worth P 20 Million.

All of these subprojects aim to improve the links from production areas to markets to enhance the efficiency of transporting agricultural products. “We hope that through these interventions we can achieve higher productivity,” Alcala said.

PRDP-RPCO Caraga meets provincial counterparts

by Fretcher Magatao

The Department of Agricuture– Regional Project Coordination Office (RPCO) 13 recently conducted its 1st Quarter Coordination Meeting to give updates to the Provincial Project Management Implementing Units (PPMIU) of Caraga regarding the status of subprojects under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP).

“Your presence in this meeting is a manifestation of your dedication and sincerity. There are challenges ahead of us and we know that we cannot do these things without your cooperation,” said Regional Project Director Edna Mabeza.

This year has been tough since the RPCO is required by the National Project Coordination Office (NPCO) to deliver at least 36% on disbursement by the end of first semester out of P 115 million worth of total project cost for the six ongoing farm-to-market road (FMR) subprojects in Caraga.

The six FMR I-BUILD subprojects are located in the municipalities of Esperanza, Talacogon and Veruela, Agusan del Sur and other subprojects in Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte and Sison, Surigao del Norte.

I-BUILD is doing its best to achieve the target and has formulated a program that would reach the attainment of 41% disburement by June. “We have been busy helping the LGUs and contractors comply the needed requirements so we can reach our goal for this year,” Engr. Rene Morales, I-BUILD Component Head said.

The enterprise (I-REAP) component still has one approved subproject with four other proposed

PRDP-RPCO CARAGA Coordination Meeting with Provincial Counterparts to update subprojects status and discuss concerns on project implementation. (Photo by Fred Abrea)

subprojects in the pipeline. “We are glad that PPMIUs have been patiently helping us. I am confident that all of our labors will be rewarded,” said Lyn Pareñas, I-REAP Component Head said.

As of February 29 this year, there are already 21 subprojects in Mindanao cluster portfolio and 5 of these are to be implemented in

Caraga.

PRDP has partnered with LGUs and the private sector in providing key infrastructure, facilities, technology and information that will raise income, productivity and competitiveness among the players in agriculture.

>>> PRDP Accepts... (from page 1)

to improved road networks linking production areas with markets to enhance efficiency of transporting agricultural products; increased productivity from irrigation and water supply systems; and lower postharvest losses.

“Others may give negative remarks of what we are doing; but let this be our motivation to stay committed in delivering what is expected of us,” said Director Edna Mabeza.

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