“These projects are testament that good partnership among project implementers and stakeholders often translates to efficient project implementation that will provide numerous benefits to the locals.”

This was expressed by National Economic Development Authority CALABARZON (NEDA 4A) Assistant Regional Director Susana Santiago after visiting the implemented subprojects of the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) in Laguna. The visit is part of NEDA 4A’s efforts to inspect and document good practices in various development projects to further facilitate the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of government programs and projects at the regional and local levels.

NEDA 4A visited the Kayhacat-Bubucal-Inayapan-Calangay-Coralan-Bagumbayan Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) serving 2,261 beneficiaries in Santa Maria and the Level II Potable Water System (PWS) with 2,624 beneficiaries in Cavinti. They confirmed that the construction of the infrastructures was completed with no major flaws and that the subprojects are having immediate and indirect benefits to the people and surrounding communities. These benefits include improved access to basic services, farms, and market areas, increased value and marketability of land and agricultural products, increased agricultural production and income, and many more. 

NEDA 4A also applauded the active involvement and cooperation exhibited by the local government and the DA-PRDP in the subprojects. As pointed out by DA-PRDP Regional Project Coordination Office CALABARZON, the Santa Maria local government unit (LGU) consistently and promptly followed through with the agreements they had for the subproject while the Cavinti LGU initiated upgrading the PWS to level III. Both LGUs are also yet to implement another set of subprojects under the DA-PRDP which are already approved and undergoing compliance.

“The fact na may another set of projects ang LGUs with the DA-PRDP is a sign that they have a good relationship and communication. This also shows their commitment to uplift the lives of the people and further develop the community,” Asst. Regional Director Santiago said.

The LGUs thanked the DA-PRDP 4A for providing them funding and support to implement the subprojects. They also expressed their commitment to sustain the subprojects to ensure that the locality can benefit from these for longer. According to Santa Maria Mayor Cindy Carolino, they will prioritize the protection of the FMR and the creation of more concrete road signs. Meanwhile, Cavinti Mayor Arrantlee Arroyo reported that they are continuously extending the services of the PWS to more constituents.

NEDA 4A also offered assistance to the LGUs to further sustain the subprojects and future projects. They advised both LGUs to continue their active participation in development projects such as the DA-PRDP to generate even more positive changes in the locality and inspire other LGUs to follow suit.

Representatives from the DA-PRDP RPCO CALABARZON and the DA Region IV-A provided assistance in the inspection. The inspection team was composed of NEDA 4A Assistant Regional Director Susana Santiago, Engr. Josephine Hapil, Richard Engasa, and Gied Evangelista, and representatives from the Office of the President, Department of Budget and Management, and the Department of Interior and Local Government. They were also accompanied by Laguna Provincial Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Merell Sales, Cavinti Municipal Administrator Vina Orolfo, Cavinti Municipal Planning and Development Officer Engr. Ariel De Leon, Santa Maria Municipal Planning and Development Officer Engr. Monita Montales, and other representatives from the concerned LGUs.

NEDA 4A checks the integrity of the construction of the farm-to-market road in Santa Maria, Laguna.

DA-PRDP 4A Rural Infrastructure Engineer Nicyl Lacasandile and representatives from the Santa Maria LGU assists the NEDA 4A in inspecting the farm-to-market road.

DA PRDP 4A M&E Unit answers inquiries from the NEDA 4A regarding the construction of the farm-to-market road subproject in Santa Maria, Laguna.

DA-PRDP 4A Monitoring and Evaluation Officer MJ Gonzaga reports to the NEDA the good practices documented from the potable water system subproject in Cavinti, Laguna.

Cavinti Municipal Administrator Vina Orolfo presents to the NEDA 4A the full documentation of the potable water system subproject implemented in their municipality.