With the aim of creating a venue for common understanding on the procurement process and procedures for IBUILD subprojects, the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project 10 (DA-PRDP 10) holds a 4-day procurement training to the members of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the Local Government Unit of Valencia on October 26-29, 2021 in Valencia City, Bukidnon.

The said training is conducted to the BAC members of the LGUs already issued with No Objection Letter (NOL1) by the National Project Coordination Office for the project proposal submitted.

LGU Valencia received the NOL1 for the two FMR subprojects on October 5, 2021 after submitting their proposals last 2018. These FMRs are the first issued with NOL1 under the Additional Financing 2 (AF2) in Mindanao.

These subprojects include the Concreting of Mt. Nebo – Sitio Migtulod FMR with a physical target of 7.730km and a total project cost of Php 156,260,304.15 and the Concreting of Jct. Brgy. Mabuhay to Brgy. Banlag Proper to Sitio Pantaron FMR with a length of 16.272km and a total project cost of Php 239,236,744.57.

It is also worthy to mention that the latter subproject is currently the largest subproject in the region and in Mindanao under the AF2.

In an interview with Mary Nor J. Gonzales, PSO Mindanao Procurement Head and also the resource speaker of the said training, she emphasized the importance of doing the training. “We are conducting this training to capacitate and harmonize guidelines of the World Bank with the LGUs to ensure that PRDP subprojects are awarded and procured on time.”

Mary Nor J. Gonzales, PSO Mindanao Procurement Head

Regional Executive Director of DA-10 and the Project Head of DA-PRDP 10 Carlene C. Collado said in his message that fast tracking the activities concerning the construction of the two FMRs will bring faster progress to the residents and farmers of the benefitting barangays. “The residents of the concerned barangays are very excited with the upcoming road. Aside from helping our farmers achieve more with the presence of the concrete road, this will also help the residents have better access during emergencies, especially in this time of the pandemic, so I hope that we are one in the implementation of these subprojects.”

“The PRDP standards might be high and some of the procedures may be demanding, but we should remember that these FMRs are not for us, but for our farmers and residents waiting to have a better life.” Director Collado added.

Joining Gonzales as resource speakers are Engr. Chona R. Jarabata, PSO Mindanao Procurement Officer, together with DA-PRDP 10 Procurement Unit Head Jeffrey B. Baja and DA-PRDP 10 Associate Procurement Officer Apple Gay P. Cabasag#