by Elvy T. Estacio, RPCO-CAR InfoACE

The Cordillera Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB) has approved infrastructure subprojects totalling Php634 million for funding under the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) Scale-Up.

The approval of these subprojects took place during a meeting held on December 12, 2024, at the DA-CAR Conference Hall in Baguio City.

Among the approved subprojects are the Improvement of Caba-Luta-Ponghal-Buyabuyan Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) with Bridge with an estimated project cost of Php381.97 million and the Construction of the Lagawe Water System (Php96.73 M), both located in Lagawe, Ifugao. The Improvement of the Sabangan Communal Irrigation System in Sabangan, Mountain Province with an estimated project cost of Php155.30 M was also approved

During the RPAB meeting, DA-CAR Regional Executive Director and RPAB Chair, Atty. Jennilyn M. Dawayan, commended the local government units (LGUs) for their unwavering dedication to proposing subprojects aimed at advancing the development of their local communities.

The 10.83-kilometer improvement of Caba-Luta-Ponghal-Buyabuyan FMR with Bridge will directly serve the four barangays it passes through, while benefiting an additional four barangays—Pulaan, Bangam, Olilicon, and Tupaya—within its influence area.

The Lagawe Water System aims to enhance water access in five barangays: Poblacion East, Poblacion North, Poblacion West, Poblacion South, and Tungngod. This project will provide 248 community households and 579 institutional households, including schools and government offices, with new communal tap stands.

The improvement of the Sabangan CIS is expected to benefit over 130 hectares of agricultural land across 11 barangays in Sabangan, Mountain Province. The project will support 7,432 residents from 1,702 households, including 3,817 males and 3,615 females.

Following the RPAB’s approval, these subprojects will be forwarded to the DA-PRDP National Project Coordination Office (NPCO) or Project Support Office (PSO) North Luzon for the issuance of No Objection Letter 1 (NOL1).

The RPAB plays a key role in guiding the DA-PRDP Regional Project Coordination Office (RPCO) in reviewing and ensuring effective implementation of policies for project execution. Current RPAB members include representatives from the regional offices of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), DA-Regional Agricultural and Fisheries Council (RAFC), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).