A robust rural economy is expected as the World Bank approved recently additional funding of $170-million for the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) implemented under the Department of Agriculture.

PRDP is a national flagship rural development and poverty-alleviation initiative of the DA jointly funded by the local government units and the agency. It seeks to support development of provincial champion commodities by establishing agri-enterprises and rural infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, communal irrigation systems, potable water supply, solar dryers, warehouses, greenhouses and composting facilities.

Engr. Ricardo Oñate. Jr., PRDP Director in Mindanao is optimistic that Mindanao will take full advantage of this additional financing given that Mindanao needs all the support it can get to achieve the island’s full agricultural potential.

“This is a welcome development to start 2018.  Aside from our current portfolio of P6.14 billion of combined agri-enterprises and infrastructure under PRDP, we still have a lot of project proposals waiting to be funded, so we take full advantage of this opportunity,” Oñate said.

As of recent report, Mindanao cluster has cornered a total of P5.77-billion for infrastructure development. Of which, P1.27-billion have been spent for 40 farm-to-market roads (FMR) and bridges with combined length of 117.46 km and 69 linear-meter bridge. Two potable water systems serving 1,266 households, and 3 units of postharvest facilities serving at least 3,000 hectares of farmland.

Mindanao’s on-going project portfolio costs P4.5-billion covering 54 FMRs with a total length of 375.88 km; 3 FMRs with bridge with a length of 25.06 km and 87.6 linear meter bridge; 1 PWS serving 390 HH; 1 communal irrigation system serving 100 hectares; and 3 postharvest facilities.

While, enterprise development has accessed a total of P365.07 million for 77 projects to date.

“With our current standing we significantly contribute to the ‘Build, Build, Build program of the Duterte administration where we provide connectivity and road network access to remote but productive villages in Mindanao,” Oñate said.

“Our agri-enterprise and infrastructure projects will provide opportunities to micro and small enterprises to expand and link to bigger markets,” he added.

PRDP in Mindanao has benefited a total of 285,938 farmer and fisherfolk households across Mindanao that supports the regions champion commodities that include abaca, banana, cacao, cassava, coconut, coffee, goat, organic rice, rubber, seaweed and swine.

In a statement, Mara K. Warwick, World Bank country director for Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand said, “PRDP is one of the most innovative projects of the Philippines. The practice of the Department of Agriculture preparing provincial commodity investment plans together with local governments have empowered local executives to mobilize additional resources and bring in programs of other government agencies. The PRDP helps to consolidate and efficiently plan programs and activities that alleviate poverty in rural areas.”

The Philippine government developed DA-PRDP in 2014 and the WB provided a loan and grant package amounting to US$ 501 million. (Sherwin B. Manual/PRDP Mindanao)

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