PRDP inFOCUS 4th Quarter 2023

CARAGA

The quarterly newsletter of the DA - Philippine Rural Development Project - Regional Project Coordination Office - Caraga

VOL. 9 ISSUE. 4 Oct - Dec 2023

PRDP Caraga holds Mindanao’s first-ever PG summit Closing out the year with a bang, DA-PRDP Caraga’s I-REAP component gathered nineteen Proponent Groups (PGs) across the Caraga region in its celebration of the PRDP I-REAP PG Summit from December 27- 29, 2023, at Butuan City.

The first of its kind in Mindanao, the summit provides PGs with the opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments throughout the implementation of their subprojects, create connections and collaborations, gain knowledge on new market opportunities, and showcase their best

products through the mini trade fair.

Ameroche Caba, Organizational Development Specialist for Project Support Office (PSO) Mindanao, expressed her enthusiasm over the opportunity for PGs to network and form partnerships with other enterprises in the Caraga region. She further expressed her hopes that this will lead to linkages that go along the segments of the value chain.

With the theme ‘Cultivating Linkages: Working Together to Hasten Agricultural Sustainability’, the summit Continued on page 8...

Stories inside this issue Strengthening coordination with LGU partners 213M FMR in Tago marks launching of PRDP Scale-Up in Caraga Mainstreaming GGU tools for transparent project implementation PRDP-BFAR Caraga bangus and tilapia convergence project Streamlining subproject implementation for PRDP Scale-Up Convergence with state universities and colleges in Caraga PRDP INFOCUS CARAGA

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Streamlining subproject implementation for PRDP Scale-Up With preparations underway for the implementation of subprojects under the PRDP Scale-Up, the DA - Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) Caraga I-BUILD Component held a training workshop on the preparation of technical documents and compliance review on December 19 – 21, 2023, in Butuan City.

In pursuit of streamlined subproject

implementation under the Scale Up, PRDP Caraga gathered partner Local Government Units (LGUs) to provide them guidance and assistance on the preparation of technical documents for their proposed subprojects which include the Detailed Engineering Design (DED), Program of Works (POW), and the Economic and Financial Analysis (EFA), among others.

“Gathering LGU partners in one place enables them to immediately address concerns and revisions on the technical documents required for their proposed subprojects.

Having an avenue where they can focus and collaborate speeds up the compliance process for the Scale Up,” said Engr. Rene Q. Morales, I-BUILD Component Head.

Continued on page 6...

Mainstreaming GGU tools for transparent project implementation To increase transparency and accountability in project implementation, the Regional Project Coordination Office (RPCO) XIII’s Geo-mapping and Governance Unit (GGU) conducted a Mainstreaming of GGU Tools and Guidelines to DA Programs on October 18 – 19, 2023, in Butuan City.

GGU, whose main goal is to improve implementation

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processes through the utilization of the latest innovations in information and communication technology (ICT), mainstreamed three innovations to personnel from DA’s regular programs. This included the Enhanced Vulnerability and Suitability Analysis (eVSA), the Applied Geotagging Tool (AGT), and the Rural Road Network Strategic Overlay (IROAD).

In line with the Department of

Agriculture’s directive to institutionalize the tools and processes of the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) into DA’s regular programs, the activity capacitated personnel from the Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division (PMED), Agricultural Program Coordinating Office (APCO), Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED), Field Operations Division (FOD), and DA’s Rice program.

Continued on page 8...

Convergence with state universities, colleges to maximize agricultural investment in Caraga The Department of Agriculture Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) Caraga’s I-PLAN component held a scoping session with state universities and colleges (SUCs) in the Caraga region on November 7-8, 2023, at Nasipit, Agusan del Norte.

The session aims to strengthen the component’s partnerships with research institutions, particularly in funding research on priority commodities in the region which will in turn serve as input for its Value Chain Analyses (VCA).

The VCA is a DA-PRDP tool used to maximize agricultural investments by providing analysis on how best to create value along the segments of the chain, resulting in benefits for various actors including producers, processors, traders, and distributors.

Representatives from the Caraga State University (CSU) Main Campus and Cabadbaran Campus, Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology (ASSCAT), and the North Eastern Mindanao State University (NEMSU) Lianga Campus presented their proposals for research studies, which included the conduct of Rapid Market Appraisals on Mangrove Crabs and Lobsters and a Profiling of the Kaong Industry in Caraga.

I-PLAN Component Head Roberto R. Hipolao Jr. emphasized convergence as a crucial strategy in attaining the component’s objectives, further noting how the session marks only the beginning of DA-PRDP’s partnerships with research institutions in Caraga.

Moving forward, chosen studies will be funded by PRDP Caraga’s I-PLAN component, which will in turn serve as crucial input for the crafting of its VCAs on lobsters, crabs, and kaong.

Sandra Solis, a representative from the Caraga State University Cabadbaran Campus, presents their proposal on a profiling of the Kaong industry in Caraga.

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I-REAP gears up for PRDP Scale-Up In preparation for the implementation of the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) Scale-Up, PRDP Caraga’s I-REAP component held a knowledge-sharing session on the Agro-Enterprise Clustering Approach (AECA) and Financing Assessment and Matching (FAst Match) Tools, as well as an orientation on the Cluster Development Plan (CDP), on November 9 and 10, 2023, respectively, at Butuan City.

The AECA, Fast Match toolkit, and Cluster Development Plan are essential tools newly integrated into the I-REAP component for the implementation of the Scale-Up, an expanded version of the original PRDP that will focus on clustering and consolidation strategies in fostering agri-fishery development.

I-REAP Component Head Lynn A. Pareñas emphasized how the activities are an opportunity to capacitate technical staff from DA PRDP and DA’s banner programs on the various tools that will enhance Project implementation, ensuring an effective delivery of services to DA’s

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stakeholders.

Division and F2C2 Coordinator.

Staff from DA-PRDP’s I-REAP component presented the AECA and FAst Match Tools to staff from DA’s banner programs and special projects, including representatives from the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD), the Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation Program (F2C2), and the Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo (4Ks) Program.

Deputy Project Director Jodel A. Tabada emphasized that the orientation will enhance the Regional Project Coordination Office’s (RPCO) strategies for the Scale-Up.

In turn, technical staff from F2C2 presented the clustering and consolidation strategies of the program, emphasizing the Cluster Development Plan (CDP) as a tool that develops the growth and development of the cluster to become a business enterprise.

“The central concept of the F2C2 is building economies of scale. While most farmers are smallholders, clustering will give them more leverage and bargaining power,” said Rebecca R. Atega, Regional Technical Director of the Field Operations

“This orientation is aimed at reaching a common understanding of the F2C2 clustering and consolidation approach, which will in turn improve our strategies, especially since the CDP is now a requirement in the implementation of I-REAP subprojects under the Scale-Up,” said Tabada.

While the Scale-Up will bank on the accomplishments of the original PRDP, it will shift its focus to clustering and consolidation strategies, a strengthened partnership with the private sector, and climate resilience as a common feature in its interventions. The PRDP Scale-Up will be implemented from 2023 to 2029.

PRDP-BFAR Caraga convergence project to address constraints in bangus and tilapia production PRDP Caraga’s I-PLAN component, through its Sub-component supporting the implementation of the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization and Industrialization Plan (AFMIP), launched its convergence project with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Caraga on December 5, 2023, at the Masao Technology Outreach Station, Butuan City.

The partnership aims to produce an alternative fish feed for bangus and tilapia using raw materials readily available within the region.

This locally-produced feed will address high input costs in bangus and tilapia production, making affordable feeds more accessible for small-scale fisherfolks in Caraga.

“The high cost of feeds continues to be a challenge in aquaculture.

Through this study, we hope to be able to introduce alternative feeds that can easily be formulated by fisherfolks using resources available in their immediate environments,” says Senior Aquaculturist and Masao Technology Outreach

Station Head Dominador G. Maputol.

The project, which has stocked 40,000 bangus fry and 40,000 tilapia fry in total, will conduct experimental feeding trials in grow-out production.

The results of these trials will serve as the basis for whether or not the locally-produced feeds are ready for mass production.

Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC) Chairperson Christopher H. Lindo meanwhile emphasized the important role convergence plays in fostering development in the fisheries sector.

“We are very thankful for the support DA PRDP has shown this project. Through convergence and collaboration with different line agencies, we are able to utilize our funds more appropriately. Our next step would be to analyze the various players along the value chain – from the fingerlings to storage to marketing,” Lindo said.

RAFC Chairperson Christopher H. Lindo, Masao Technology Outreach Station Head Dominador G. Maputol, Team Bahug Team Leader Gemma A. Asufre, and PRDP Caraga Planning Officer Jonah Ladera led the ceremonial stocking of the last batch of bangus and tilapia fry, signifying the official start of the project.

The ceremonial stocking of the last batch of bangus and tilapia fry signifies the official start of the convergence project.

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Streamlining subproject implementation

Continued from page 2...

213M FMR in Tago, Surigao del Sur marks launching of PRDP Scale-Up in Caraga The Kinabigtasan – Lindoy farm-to-market road with bridge in Tago, Surigao del Sur worth P213,034,012.11 was launched as part of the pilot subprojects to be implemented under the $600M worth PRDP Scale-Up.

The FMR proposed by the municipal government of Tago will be PRDP Caraga’s first subproject to be implemented under the Scale-Up. It is set to cover ten barangays in Tago, benefitting 15,015 of its residents.

This came as the DA launched three big-ticket projects funded by the World Bank on November 6, 2023, in Quezon City. The projects are the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) Scale-Up, the Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project (MIADP), and the Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FishCoRe) Project.

Present at the launching were Tago’s municipal mayor Hon. Betty E. Pimentel, Municipal Project Management and Implementing Unit (MPMIU) Head Jubert D. Tutor, municipal engineer Engr. Jeffry N. Baghari, MIADP Deputy Project Director Rebecca Atega, and staff from PRDP Caraga, including Project Director Engr. Ricardo M. Oñate, Jr., Deputy Project Director Jodel A. Tabada, I-REAP Component Head Lynn A. Pareñas, and Procurement Head Jean Tado.

The launching marks the official start of implementation of the PRDP Scale-Up, an expanded version of the original PRDP that builds on the Project’s accomplishments in fostering rural development.

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The PRDP Scale-Up will be implemented from 2023 to 2029.

The training/workshop and review provided an avenue for implementing partners to enhance skills in technical preparation, identify and address delays in compliance, and craft techniques and strategies in streamlining the preparation of documents for proposed subprojects under the PRDP Scale-Up.

There are currently three subprojects under the Scale Up approved by the Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB) in the Caraga region.

IN PHOTOS: Gathering LGU partners in one place enables them to immediately address concerns, speeding up the compliance process for the Scale-Up.

Strengthening coordination with LGU partners for PRDP Scale-Up

Throughout 2023, in preparation for the implementation of the PRDP Scale-Up, the Regional Project Coordination Office (RPCO) 13 has also made sure to scale-up its relationship with LGU partners in the Caraga region.

PRDP Caraga Project Director Engr. Ricardo M. Oñate Jr. (second from right) discusses proposed subprojects under the PRDP Scale-Up with Agusan del Norte governor Maria Angelica Rosedell Amante, I-BUILD Component Head Engr. Rene Q. Morales and Engr. Rhidge Berdera.

The DA-PRDP Regional Awards, held over the last two years, is conducted in recognition of LGU partners’ contributions to the overall success of the Project. It also aims to incentivize and sustain their active involvement as the Project moves to the next level.

(From left) SES unit head Melody Guimary, I-BUILD component head Engr. Rene Q. Morales and Deputy Project Director Jodel A. Tabada award the Province of Surigao del Sur.

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Mainstreaming GGU tools Continued from page 2...

Mindanao’s first-ever PG Summit Continued from page 1...

featured a mini trade fair of the PGs’ various products, lectures and RPCO 13 Project Director Engr. Ricardo Oñate, Jr. forums on market and coffee cupping, a withfinancial Tribal Chiefopportunities, Rolito Peñaloga, Sr. ceremonial turn-over of completed subprojects, and an on-site visit of the Integrated Abaca Enhancement Enterprises subproject in Santiago, Agusan del Norte.

PRDP Caraga Project Director Engr. Ricardo M. Oñate Jr. expresses his gratitude for the PGs’ sustained commitment to their subprojects.

I-REAP Component Head Lynn A. Pareñas emphasized how DA PRDP, through its enterprise development component, aims not only to increase the profit of its PGs but also to empower them to become sustainable enterprises. This goal is illustrated by how the summit was graced by PGs with subprojects funded as far as DA PRDP’s Original Loan, which started in 2014-2016.

Deputy Project Director Jodel A. Tabada meanwhile expressed her gratitude for the PGs’ active and sustained participation throughout the various phases of the Project: “Without the Proponent Groups, none of us would be here.”

Adoption of these GGU tools is seen to result in improved processes in project implementation.

“Mainstreaming these tools is important for enhanced project implementation. The eVSA enables a more comprehensive assessment and aids in the targeted deployment of interventions and strategies that enhance climate resilience in agricultural production and investment. Geo-mapping using the AGT enhances the monitoring, governance, and quality of investments supported by the DA,” says Jeff E. Alaan, GGU Head for RPCO XIII. While preparations are ongoing for the upcoming launch of the PRDP Scale-Up, RPCO XIII continues its mainstreaming efforts to institutionalize PRDP processes into DA’s regular programs. The mainstreaming of GGU’s efforts was done in support of climate change adaptation and mitigation, technology and innovation, and farm mechanization and infrastructure investment strategies of the Department of Agriculture.

Members of the San Nicolas Development Cooperative (SANIDECO) showcase their coffee products.

The summit featured Proponent Groups engaged in the production, processing, and/or marketing of rubber, abaca, bangus, coffee, banana, geonet, seaweeds, and cassava in the Caraga region.

IN PHOTO: Adoption of GGU tools is seen to result in improved processes in project implementation.

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Editorial Board

CARAGA PRDP InFOCUS is the quarterly newsletter of the Department of Agriculture (DA) — Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) Regional Project Coordination Office (RPCO) Caraga

8 PRDP INFOCUS CARAGA

Emmylou T. Presilda Editor-in-chief

Advisers:

Nichole L. Talatala Writer / Layout Artist

Jodel A. Tabada Deputy Project Director

rafis@caraga.da.gov.ph

Wilfredo C. Abrea Nichole L. Talatala Photographers

Engr. Ricardo M. Oñate, Jr. Project Director

prdp.da.gov.ph

DARFO13