With the recent launch of the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) Scale-Up, Calabarzon local government units in the province of Rizal, Tagkawayan, Quezon, and Baccor, Cavite have taken interest in the said project to implement large-scale, modern, and sustainable agricultural and fisheries interventions.

The DA-PRDP Scale-Up is a project by the DA and the World Bank that aims to bring positive transformation to the agriculture and fisheries sector by developing, funding, and implementing infrastructure and enterprise subprojects. To leave a bigger and sustainable impact in the sector, the DA-PRDP Scale-Up utilizes more refined and expansive processes, tools, and perspectives in project development. The project will put more focus on climate change effects, clustering and consolidation, and the rice and corn commodities.

To assist the LGUs in moving forward with the project, the DA-PRDP Regional Project Coordination Office Calabarzon conducted an orientation on the DA-PRDP Scale-Up. Processes, requirements, and standards were discussed in lobbying for infrastructure and enterprise subprojects. 

LGUs shared potential subprojects that they may propose: an ice plant, cold storage, fish processing facility, and rice complex in Tagkawayan, and a food distribution hub in Bacoor. Per the LGUs, they will be conducting further research and planning to propose the subprojects. Meanwhile, the DA-PRDP RPCO 4A is actively conducting orientations and validations to further promote the implementation of modern, efficient, sustainable, and climate-smart interventions for rural communities in the region.

For interested LGUs or farmers cooperatives and associations, visit the DA-PRDP 4A office at the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office Calabarzon, Lipa Agricultural Research and Experiment Station in Brgy. Maraouy, Lipa City, Batangas or send an e-mail at prdprpco4a@gmail.com. #

Representatives of the Cavite PLGU and CLGU discussed the commodities included in their Provincial Commodity Investment Plans which may be catered to by their potential food distribution hub subproject under DA- PRDP Scale-Up. (Photo by Von Samuel Panghulan)

Bacoor City Agriculturist Allan Chua shared the agriculture and fishery situation in their locality. (Photo by Von Samuel Panghulan)

DA-PRDP 4A Planning Officer MJ Rayosa shared the key role of the Value Chain Analyses and Provincial Commodity Investment Plans in developing DA-PRDP Scale-Up subprojects. (Photo by Myrelle Joy Bejasa)

DA-PRDP 4A Rural Infrastructure Engineer Jerome Fabrero shared potential infrastructure subprojects that the Rizal PLGU may propose. (Photo by Myrelle Joy Bejasa)

DA-PRDP 4A Monitoring and Evaluation Officer MJ Gonzaga presents the structure of the Provincial Project Management and Implementation Unit to Bacoor Mayor Strike Revilla. (Photo by Von Samuel Panghulan)

The DA-PRDP Scale-Up orientation with the Tagkawayan LGU ended in a hopeful note as several commodities in Tagkawayan may be potentially catered to by the DA-PRDP Scale-Up. (Photo by Myrelle Joy Bejasa)