The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) MIMAROPA Regional Project Monitoring Team (RPMT) together with the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) MIMAROPA Regional Project Coordination Office (RPCO) conducted an inspection of three DA-PRDP subprojects in the province of Oriental Mindoro on September 21-22, 2022. 

Among the subprojects inspected were the Concreting of the Barangay Bigaan-Saclag, Caagutayan Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) in San Teodoro; the Veggie Canton Noodles and Veggie Snacks Production and Marketing in Pinamalayan; and the Oriental Mindoro Virgin Coconut Oil Processing and Marketing in the Municipality of Pola. These three subprojects benefit an estimate of 5,000 farmers in the province.

President Estelita Fiedalan of the Samahan ng Lingap Pamilyang Pinamalenyo (SNLPP) shared that despite still being on the process of applying for an FDA Approval to be able to sell in malls and groceries, they were able to supply to public schools in their area. The SNLPP is the proponent group of the Veggie Canton Noodles and Veggie Snacks Production and Marketing subproject.

“Nakarating na po kami sa DepEd na makapag-benta mula sa aming community na 300 na bata. This time, magrere-organize po kami dahil mag-start na ang school, kailangan na namin gumising na lalo, nandiyan lang naman po ang gamit. Ang pinakaipinagpapa-salamat po namin, kahit dumaan ang pandemya, intact po ang organization kasi po kami ay institution,” Fiedalan stated.

Meanwhile, the RPMT engaged in a consultation with the members of the Calima Socio-Economic Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CASEMPCO), proponent group of the Oriental Mindoro Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) Processing and Marketing, regarding product development for the byproducts of VCO production.

For the Concreting of the Barangay Bigaan-Saclag, Caagutayan FMR in San Teodoro, the RPMT reinforced the need for women and Indigenous Groups’ participation in the subproject implementation. This involves giving opportunities for these minority groups either in the office or the construction setting.

The RPMT was composed of representatives from NEDA led by Roy Dimayuga of the Project Monitoring and Evaluation Division, Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Office of the President – Presidential Management Staff (OP-PMS), and members of the provincial local monitoring committee of Oriental Mindoro.

Also present during the inspection were representatives from the DA-PRDP’s MIMAROPA RPCO headed by Deputy Project Director Engr. Annielyn Del Rosario and Monitoring and Evaluation Unit Head Engr. Jean Tirante. (Danica A. Brutas, DA-PRDP MIMAROPA RPCO InfoACE Unit)

Samahan ng Lingap Pamilyang Pinamalenyo (SNLPP) President Estelita Fiedalan gives the NEDA MIMAROPA RPMT an introduction of the organization and the Veggie Canton Noodles and Veggie Snacks Production and Marketing subproject. (Photo by Danica Brutas, DA-PRDP MIMAROPA RPCO InfoACE Unit)

Calima Socio-Economic Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CASEMPCO), proponent group of the Oriental Mindoro Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) Processing and Marketing, presents the products they offer using different parts of the coconut fruit. (Photo by Danica Brutas, DA-PRDP MIMAROPA RPCO InfoACE Unit)

PRDP MIMAROPA RPCO DPD Engr. Annielyn Del Rosario addresses concerns on women and IP involvement in the subproject implementation of the Concreting of the Barangay Bigaan-Saclag, Caagutayan FMR.
(Photo by Danica Brutas, DA-PRDP MIMAROPA RPCO InfoACE Unit)