A multitude of opportunities heading towards agricultural transformation and development is bound to be benefited from by the people of Negros Occidental as the Department of Agriculture- Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) held the ceremonial turnover, blessing, and groundbreaking of the five (5) subprojects to the key stakeholders in the respective municipalities of the province on October 20-21, 2021.

The subprojects under I-BUILD (Infrastructure Component), and I-REAP (Enterprise Component), amounting to P267-M were funded by the DA-PRDP with counterparts from the local government units and the recipients, are now all set to bring encompassing benefits to the project beneficiaries particularly to the agri-fishery sector in Negros.

The set of projects recently turned over include three I-BUILD subprojects and two I-REAP subprojects, respectively. These are as follows: (i) Construction of Sagay Feeder Port/ Fish Landing in Old Sagay, Sagay City with a total project cost of P153-M; (ii) Construction of 75 linear meters Himoga-an Bridge located in Barangay Bug-ang, Toboso amounting to P39.6-M; (iii) the P45.8-M worth project which is the construction of Barangay 1A and Barangay Punta Salong farm-to-market road (FMR) in Manapla; (iv) Negros Native Chicken Breeding, Production, and Marketing Enterprise in Barangay Daga, Cadiz, City with a total cost of P10.49-M, and (v) turnover of Caridad Swine Breeder Stocks situated in Hacienda Caridad Uno, Barangay Luna, Cadiz City. With the latter subproject, the blessing and groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of swine breeding facilities were also conducted.

Sagay Feeder Port

The challenge of transporting agricultural goods has been one of the major problems of the farmers in the suburbs which they have long endured, as well as the frequent weather changes, and further aggravated by the pandemic, the reason why rural infrastructure is among the topmost development priorities of the province.

“These projects will hasten the mobilization and transportation of the local farm produce to the markets. Since rural infrastructure raises agricultural productivity, their benefits are not only limited to agricultural development as they also provide better access to education and healthcare, among others,” said Gov. Eugenio V. Lacson.

He emphasized that these PRDP projects will allow growth in the market value of agricultural and fishery commodities of the Negrense farmers and fishers.

“When agriculture and fisheries are developed and enhanced, plus the fact that as an archipelago, we have a rich marine life and aquatic resources, we begin to have not just food security, but also food accessibility for every Filipino,” he added.

Lacson further lauded the local officials and all stakeholders for the materialization of the projects and thanked the DA-PRDP for its steady support given to the province since its onset.

With this, Regional Executive Director of DA-WV Remelyn R. Recoter stated the potential advancements that these recently turned-over projects will bring among the targeted beneficiaries.

“We expect the projects will make a difference to beneficiaries and contribute to the economy of the province,” said Recoter.

She further discussed with the provincial local government all other matters relevant to agri-fishery improvement.
“Alongside these PRDP projects turned over, we were able to discuss the Province-Led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension System (PAFES), 2022 Small Scale Irrigation Projects, and High Value Crops and Rabbit Production which are relative to the realization of our OneDA Reform Agenda as a holistic approach to agriculture and fisheries transformation.”

Additionally, the lead proponent group which is the La Castellana I Personnel Multipurpose Cooperative received a total of P3.39-M checks intended for the procurement of 100 breeder gilts and three boars and feeds as part of the second tranche fund for its Swine Integrated Enterprise.

Director Recoter, PRDP PSO Visayas Deputy Project Director (DPD) Engr. Jose Albert Barrogo, PRDP RPCO 6 DPD Engr. Moises D. Mana-ay, Provincial Project Management and Implementing Unit Head, Dr. Narissa Lemoncito, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist OIC Dr. Dina Gensola, Provincial Engineer Ernie Mapa, and other local key officials of the respective municipalities involved spearheaded the succeeding activities.

Since the past years, the DA-PRDP aims to increase rural incomes and enhance farm and fishery productivity in targeted areas. It continues to promote more inclusive rural development by supporting smallholders and fisherfolk to increase their marketable surpluses and by improving access to markets, thereby living with its mission of enabling communities and expanding opportunities among the farmers and fishers all over the country. (April Grace Padilla, Writer, RPCO 6)