The Provincial Government of Marinduque officially turned over the Deed of Donation of DA-PRDP subprojects to its respective Proponent Groups (PGs), December 14, 2023. These enterprises, which support the arrowroot and coconut industry in the province, have a total worth of Php22 million and benefit more than 1,500 local farmers.

Upon the turnover of the subprojects, Provincial Administrator Vincent Michael Velasco shared his hopes for the productive use of the subprojects.

“Sana maparami nyo ang members para mas madami pa ang makinabang. Andito lang po kami para sa ating mga kailangan. Officially, nasa inyo na [ang enterprise] kaya sana ay pangalagaan nyo po ito. ‘Yun lang naman po, para sa ikauunlad rin nyo naman po ito,” said PA Velasco.

(We hope that you’ll be able to increase your membership so that more people can benefit [from the subproject]. [The enterprise] is officially yours so we hope that you take good care of it because it’s for your own good and development.)

DA-PRDP Enterprise Development and Marketing Specialist Ramon Policarpio supported PA Velasco’s statement, stressing on the privilege that comes with the subproject grant.

“Ipinagkakatiwala po sa inyo ng gobyerno ang mga proyektong ito, ang mga gamit na ‘to, itong hanapbuhay na ‘to, kaya pangalagaan nyo po at pahalagahan. Madami po ang nag-aasam nan pero iilan lang kayo na pinalad. Kaya magpasalamat tayo sa suporta ng Provincial Government, sa Diyos, at sa World Bank,” stated Policarpio.

(The government entrusted you with these projects, these equipment, these enterprises, so you must take good care of them. A lot wish for these grants but you are one of the few to be fortunate enough to be receiving them. That’s why you should be grateful for the support of the Provincial Government, to God, and to the World Bank.”

With the receipt of the Deed of Donation, the PGs are given full authority and independent control of the subproject inclusions such as processing centers, vehicles, and pieces of equipment. 

The said receiving PGs are as follows: Tanikala ng Pagkakaisa Multi – Purpose Cooperative, Malbog Multi-Purpose Coopirative, Nangka Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Butansapa Multi-Purpose Cooperative, and the Bahi Agricultural and Fisheries Association. ###

(Danica A. Brutas, DA-PRDP MIMAROPA RPCO InfoACE Unit)