Mayantoc, TARLAC – The three-million civil work – Establishment of Nursery and Consolidation Area for the Production of Sweetpotato Clean Planting Materials of the Department of Agriculture- Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) is now fully constructed and has recently attained 100% in its physical accomplishment.

This, after the Regional Project Coordination Office (RPCO 3) led by Rural Infrastructure Engineer Mary Joyce Quiros together with I-REAP Business Development Officer (BDO) Carissa Cabubus, Social and Environmental Safeguards (SES) Officer Jes Surla, Geomapping and Governance GIS Data Officer Engineer Maurice Pineda, I-REAP Project Development Associate Danilo Ramoso and the Provincial Project Management and the Implementing Unit (PPMIU) of Tarlac conducted a site inspection on September 10, 2020, here to validate its progress.

Engr. Quiros stressed that the subproject has achieved 100% in its physical accomplishment and is set to be fully operational this year.

“Prior to the turnover of the nursery and consolidation area, a punch list walk through will still be conducted to address any minor repairs to finishes and cleanup to ensure excellent level of workmanship,” Engr. Quiros said.

Tentatively, the turnover of the subproject to the Mayantoc Sweet Potato Clean Planting Materials Producers Cooperative is expected this coming October.

For the enterprise part, BDO Cabubus disclosed the I-REAP will procure 1,000 pieces of sweetpotato (mother plant) amounting to P30,000 to be planted in the newly-established nursery while a trading capital was secured for the purchasing of cuttings from farmer-growers amounting to P588,000 which is a way to guarantee farmer’s income.

“Aside from the additional inputs, the proponent group also procured a one-unit delivery truck, one-unit tractor and some 30 pieces modified net house amounting to P2.8 million,” she added.

The DA-PRDP is determined to enforce and strengthen agriculture-based enterprises likewise to augment productivity through alternative livelihoods and support facilities. (MA. REINA LEN G. LUNA, RPCO3 InfoACE)