Three proponent local government units (LGUs) in the region can now proceed with the procurement process for the implementation of their proposed enterprises following the issuance of the first “No Objection Letter *NOL 1) by the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) Project Support Office (PSO) on the proposed subprojects.

The approved subprojects are: 1) the Banana (Cardava) Production, Consolidation and Marketing of Conner, Apayao amounting to P9, 673,264.00 (with civil works). This subproject will be implemented by the Calaoan Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-purpose Cooperative in Conner, Apayao; 2) the Commercialization of Ubi Production and Marketing Enterprise amounting to P2, 313,250.00 to be implemented by Bulala Talete Ubi Farmers Association in Sablan, Benguet; and 3) the Heirloom Rice Processing and Marketing Enterprise amounting to P9,161,293.30 (with civil works) to be implemented by Anabel Sandanga Multi-purpose Cooperative in Sadanga, Mountain Province.

The above subprojects were previously endorsed by the Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB) of CAR for PRDP funding last October 24, 2019.

According to DA-RFO-CAR Regional Executive Director and PRDP RPCO-CAR Project Director Cameron P. Odsey, the Proponent Groups (PGs) for these subprojects were previously assisted by the DA through its regular and other special projects such as the Cordillera Highland Agricultural Resource Management (CHARM) Project. Hence, Dir. Odsey is looking forward to the continuity and sustainability of the subprojects as they have been beneficiaries of the DA before. || ELVY S. TAQUIO (DA-PRDP)