Seven value chain analyses (VCA) of Bicol commodities will soon serve as basis for Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) interventions in the region. This was after a joint technical review of VCA aimed at expediting the preparation of the final VCA report for No Objection Letter issuance, required for the updating of Provincial Commodity Investment Plans (PCIPs).

On March 6-9 in Naga City, Dennis Barrogo, planning officer from PRDP National Project Coordination Office (NPCO), Project Support Office (PSO) South Luzon planning specialist Jo Marie Libarnes, and planning officer Alene Gregorio discussed their findings and recommendations on the VCAs. Joining them as panel of critiques were PRDP-Bicol Local and National Level Planning (I-PLAN) component head Aloha Gigi Bañaria and planning staff Mary Grace Rodriguez and Mary Ann Cuya.

The panel of critiques reviewed the regional VCAs for dairy cattle and native chicken, Masbate’s VCA for mango, and Sorsogon’s VCA for organic rice. The I-PLAN team also evaluated the regional VCAs for taro leaves (dried laing), processed taro leaves (pinangat), seaweeds, and Camarines Norte’s VCA for smoked fish.

According to Bañaria, enhancing the VCAs and PCIPs will also fast track the process of translating them into infrastructure and enterprise subprojects. She added that comprehensive VCAs and PCIPs ensure that necessary interventions will boost the provincial and regional commodities.

Gregorio, on the other hand, underscored that VCA is an essential planning tool with the integration of commitments from various agencies to support priority commodities. Barrogo also announced that upon completion of the VCAs, the I-PLAN component will focus on updating and strengthening the PCIPs.

VCA is a science-based tool used by PRDP which refers to the full range of activities required to bring a product or service through the different phases of production. It identifies existing and potential market opportunities that can spur growth as well as key constraints and possible catalysts. The VCA also describes the nature of interfirm relations and serves as a tool in promoting collaboration and generating commitment.

I-PLAN is one of the four major components of PRDP designed to strengthen the Department of Agriculture’s planning, programming, and budget execution process in support of the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Plan (AFMP). ### (Annielyn L. Baleza, DA-PRDP Bicol RPCO InfoACE Unit)

NPCO I-PLAN Planning Officer Dennis Barrogo discusses some issues on the VCA for mango. (Photo by Annielyn L. Baleza, DA-RAFIS V)

PRDP-Bicol I-PLAN Component Head Aloha Gigi Bañaria (standing) clarifies some findings and recommendations on the VCA for dairy cattle. (Photo by Annielyn L. Baleza, DA-RAFIS V)