August 11, 2014

PILI, CAMARINES SUR –Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala and Camarines Sur Governor Miguel Luis R. Villafuerte expressed enthusiasm for the full implementation of the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) in the province during the ceremonial signing of the memorandum of agreement (MoA) held at the DA Regional Field Unit 5 Compound on August 8, 2014. The MoA signing coincided with the launching of the Bicol Rehabilitation Assistance for Glenda for the Agriculture Sector in Camarines Sur. It underpins the DA and the provincial government’s partnership in attaining the PRDP goal of an inclusive, climate-resilient, and market-oriented agri-fishery sector.

“Kami po ay excited at marami kaming matutulungan na magsasaka,” said Villafuerte. He also assured the DA of his full support to the PRDP undertaking. In his message, Alcala, also known as the “father of PRDP,” announced the establishment of a trading center in the Municipality of Pili, Camarines Sur to alleviate the farmers’ condition in the area. He also mentioned that through the PRDP, DA will help the farmers sell their products.

Villafuerte, Alcala, PRDP Luzon B Program Support Office (PSO) Program Coordinator Shandy M. Hubilla, and DA Bicol Officer-In-Charge Regional Executive Director Engr. Abelardo R. Bragas jointly signed the MoA. Among the witnesses during the MoA signing were Dr. Elena B. de Los Santos, PRDP-Bicol focal person, AKO BIKOL Representative and Bicol Recovery and Economic Development Committee Chairperson Rodel M. Batocabe, 5th District Representative Salvio B. Fortuno, and 3rd District Representative Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo.

Bragas noted that the PRDP demands fast delivery of required project documents. As of press time, only the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte have submitted their proposals. He added that this year, PRDP has allotted P600 million fund for Bicol, about P265 million of which will go to Camarines Sur.

Camarines Sur’s Intensified Building Up of Infrastructure and Logistics for Development (I-BUILD) projects consist of the proposed farm-to-market roads (FMR) in the municipalities of Sipocot, Libmanan and Pasacao. Meanwhile, it aspires to develop coconut sap sugar processing as the province’s Investments in Rural Enterprises and Agriculture and Fisheries Productivity (I-REAP) project.

PRDP is a six-year program worth P27.535 billion comprised of P20.553 billion loan from the World Bank, P287-million grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), P3.579 billion from the national government and P3.118 billion equity from the local government units (LGUs). It is divided into four components namely the Local and National Level Planning (I-PLAN), Infrastructure Development (I-BUILD), Enterprise Development (I-REAP) and Project Implementation Support (I-SUPPORT). PRDP promotes LGUs and private sector’s partnership towards increased productivity, income and competitiveness through better infrastructure, facilities, technology and information in the countryside. (Annielyn L. Baleza, I-SUPPORT InfoACE Unit, DA-RAFID 5)