The CALABARZON Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC) awarded certificates of recognition to the local government units (LGUs) of Sta. Maria and Cavinti, Laguna for their effective implementation of rural infrastructure subprojects of the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) Regional Project Coordination Office (RPCO) CALABARZON  in their localities. These projects are the Construction of Level II Cavinti Potable Water System and the Concreting of Kayhakat-Bubucal-Inayapan-Calangay-Coralan-Bagumbayan Farm-to-Market Road in Sta. Maria.

The RPMC is the monitoring arm of the Regional Development Council responsible for monitoring and evaluating regional programs and projects of the government, documenting experiences, lessons learned and good practices for replication, and forwarding recommendations for future implementation of programs and projects. It is headed by the National Economic and Development Authority Regional Director and composed of members from various government agencies and non-government organizations.

The LGUs were recognized based on the RPMC’s findings from their site visit to the subproject sites last August 4, 2022 which were on the quality construction of the infrastructures and the good practices demonstrated by the LGUs. Among the good practices identified were the following: hands on and proactive involvement of the Municipal Project Management and Implementing Units (MPMIU) in coordinating and collaborating with the PRDP 4A and contractors; use of accurate and evidence-based tools such as the PRDP Geotagging camera, quality assessment of construction; and proper and accurate documentation of the billing documents.

CALABARZON Regional Development Council Infrastructure Committee Chairman Ding Andal commended the LGUs and the DA-PRDP for their dedicated efforts for the subprojects. He hopes that more DA-PRDP subproject implementations will be recognized in the future and that other agencies and LGUs will follow suit in their own programs and projects.

“Nagpapasalamat din ang PRDP 4A sa pag-recognize sa aming subprojects as these further inspire us in promoting rural development in the region and in helping our farmers and other stakeholders in the agriculture sector,” PRDP RPCO CALABARZON Project Director Engr. Abelardo Bragas said.

PRDP 4A Project Director Abelardo Bragas shared that the recognitions received by the PRDP subproject implementations shall serve as an encouragement for the DA-PRDP and LGUs to continue developing and sustaining infrastructure subprojects for rural development.

Cavinti Municipal Administrator Vina Orolfo received the certificate of recognition and expressed gratitude to the RPMC in behalf of the Cavinti Municipal Local Government.

Representatives of the Sta. Maria, Laguna local government unit were also delighted for receiving the certificate of recognition from the RPMC. They vowed to continue supporting, improving, and sustaining the FMR to ensure that future generations can still reap the benefits it brings to the covered communities.

The Kayhakat-Bubucal-Inayapan-Calangay-Coralan-Bagumbayan farm-to-market road caters to 2,261 households in Sta. Maria, Laguna. Apart from improving the quality of travel in the communities, the FMR also aims to boost productivity in the coffee industry in the municipality.

The Level II Cavinti Potable Water system caters to 2,624 households. It aims to provide a convenient and safe water supply for all residents and to improve productivity for agri-fishery endeavors in the municipality.