The PRDP road project beneficiaries and barangay officials were empowered and energized after learning their duties and responsibilities as members of the Citizen Monitoring Team (CMT) during the training conducted by the RPCO XI led by the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Unit.

The CMT training involves the citizens to become part in the monitoring and evaluation of subprojects under PRDP. It also encourages them to have a sense of ownership of the project implemented within their community.

The project is a P102.7- million farm-to-market road connecting Barangays Ibo, Pitu and Bulacan in the municipality of Malalag, in the province of Davao del Sur.

As members of the CMT, the barangay officials committed to help in the monitoring and ensure proper operations and maintenance even before the start of the 5.9-kilometer road rehabilitation ground works.

“In this gathering, I have understood the importance of the CMT. I am more than willing to become part in the implementation of the project. I am also really thankful because we have been dreaming of this project for so long. Now, it is starting to come true,” said Punong Barangay Yolando Amboc of Brgy. Pitu.

 

Kagawad Dwight Ortega of Barangay Ibo also shared that the CMT training made them more enthusiastic as members of the Barangay Implementing Team who will be monitoring the project.

“As beneficiaries of this project, we are very happy that after suffering from a very bumby road for a long time, soon we our road will be paved. Before, we used to gravel our road but it is always washed away by the rain. We hope that PRDP will continue to give more projects to help more people, especially the farmers,” This is the testimony of Punong Barangay Albero Bragat of Brgy. Bulacan.

The road influence area of the subproject has a total of 2,700 hectares, with 2,766 households and 11,040 total population of beneficiaries.

This project aims to provide weather access road for development and enhancement of the whole value chain of the commodity from input provision, farming and processing to the marketing. (Janelle Flores/InfoACE11)