Business Process Reviews are being conducted for completed I-REAP (enterprise development) subprojects implemented under the Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) in the Cordillera provinces.

Through the I-REAP component of the PRDP Regional Project Coordination Office-CAR (RPCO-CAR), 17 enterprise subprojects were already reviewed. These are mostly micro-enterprise subprojects (formerly small livelihood project) that were completed and operational since 2017-2019.

Business process reviews are conducted to identify areas that need technical assistance and support services as the Project disengages from the Proponent Groups (PGs). It is also part of the mainstreaming process of the completed subprojects to the regular programs of the DA.

Using the enterprise assessment tool for business process review, the PGs are evaluated in terms of the following areas: organization and administration, enterprise operations, financial management, marketing, sustainability, and inclusivity. The results will then determine the maturity level of the PGs – survival, start-up, success.

These assessment areas are focused on the PGs’ human resource policies and enterprise management systems and processes, enterprise operation procedures, and the execution and the awareness of PG members on the financial management system. It is also focused on the systemic flow of goods and products within marketing activities as well as the enterprises’ sustainability plan in terms of production, product technology, market, and network area.

Moreover, the enterprises’ inclusivity of providing equal access to opportunities and resources to other minority groups and their responsiveness to the root causes of marginalization are also being evaluated.

According to Lorna E. Panyo, Business Development Officer, the findings from the business process review will be the PGs’ basis in the preparation of their three-year Capacity Development Plan.

“This plan will identify the necessary trainings and other assistance needed by the PGs such as product development and upgrading of facilities among others,” added Panyo. ### Elvy Taquio Estacio (DA-PRDP)