The local government unit (LGU) of Sampaloc, Quezon, received a certificate of recognition from the Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC) of the National Economic Development Authority for their exemplary implementation of the Mamala-Taquico-Caldong Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) co-funded by the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP). 

Led by National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and members from different government agencies, The RPMC aims to monitor government programs and projects to document relevant experiences, lessons learned, and good practices that may be emulated or used in ongoing and future endeavors of the government.

The LGU Sampaloc received commendation based on the on-site inspection conducted by the RPMC last January 26 on the following; organized Municipal Project Management and Implementing Unit, close coordination of the LGU and the contractor, swift response of the LGU on issues raised by the stakeholders, active leadership and participation of the mayor, use and adoption of DA-PRDP tools, hiring of Project Engineer who will oversee the subproject implementation, and the allocation of funds for the operations and maintenance of the FMR.

DA-PRDP Regional Project Coordination Office CALABARZON Project Director Engr. Marcos Aves, Sr. thanked the RPMC for the recognition and continuous monitoring of DA-PRDP projects. He also thanked the Sampaloc LGU for their cooperation and strong partnership with the DA-PRDP in implementing the subproject.

“Inaasahan natin na tutularan ng ibang LGUs at grupong may DA-PRDP subprojects ang good practices ng Sampaloc LGU. Pagsisikapan natin na magpatuloy ang ganitong klase ng implementasyon sa mga magiging proyekto sa ilalim ng DA-PRDP Scale-Up (We hope that other LGUs and proponent groups currently implementing DA-PRDP subprojects will adopt the good practices of the Sampaloc LGU. We will also work hard and do our best to ensure this implementation will continue for the subprojects under the DA-PRDP Scale-Up),” Engr. Aves  added.

The 10.4 km Mamala-Taquico-Caldong FMR costs a total of Php 159,408,602.77. It aims to develop the local virgin coconut oil industry further and improve the quality of transportation of residents and farmers to the Sampaloc town proper. It caters to 94 households and around 344 individuals. (My Bejasa, CALABARZON InfoACE Unit)

Based on the Rapid Appraisal of Emerging Benefits conducted by the DA-PRDP on the FMR, the subproject significantly reduced travel time in the covered areas from four hours to 30 minutes. The FMR also paved the way for the reduction of hauling cost of agricultural products from Php 3.75 per kilogram to Php 1.25. (Photo from Sampaloc Municipal Information Office)

By providing better connectivity to markets, thereby entailing faster convertion of products to income, the DA-PRDP FMR enabled and encouraged farmers to continue and expand their agricultural and economic endeavors in their area. (Photo from Sampaloc Municipal Information Office)

NEDA RPMC Secretariat Engr. Richard Engasa enumerated the good practices they identified from the on-site inspection and meeting with the Sampaloc LGU on the implementation of the Mamala-Taquico-Caldong FMR. (Photo by Myrelle Joy Bejasa)

Sampaloc Municipal Agriculturist Emerlinda Balce thanked the NEDA RPMC and the DA-PRDP for the award. MA Balce shared that the award will definitely inspire them to continue developing the rural communities of their municipality toward economic development and growth. (Photo by Myrelle Joy Bejasa)