In a significant step towards boosting regional development, three local government units (LGUs) in Region 12 signed their respective Implementation Management Agreements (IMA) for their subproject proposals with the Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rural Development Project Scale-Up .

The agreement facilitates the implementation of three critical farm-to-market road (FMR) subprojects aimed at enhancing transportation infrastructure and supporting local agricultural growth in their municipalities.

The signing ceremony, held in South Cotabato, was attended by DA-PRDP Project Support Office Mindanao (PSO Mindanao) Project Director Macario D. Gonzaga, Deputy Project Director Carlene C. Collado, CPA, Regional Project Coordination Office (RPCO) 12 Project Director Roberto T. Perales, Deputy Project Director Engr. Abraham A. Onotan, and the local chief executives of the three municipalities involved.

The IMA covers three (3) essential farm-to-market road projects: the concreting of the Prk. Kalyong-Bukay Eel-Guaza-Buluan-Bato-Paradise, Landan FMR in Polomolok, South Cotabato; the concreting of San Isidro-Buto FMR with Bridge in Tampakan, South Cotabato; and the concreting of Greenhill-Camasi FMR in President Roxas, Cotabato.

These infrastructure projects aim to improve connectivity, reduce transportation costs, and provide farmers with better market access, contributing to regional economic development.

The signing of the IMA formalizes the collaboration among DA-PRDP, LGUs, and stakeholders, ensuring the timely and efficient execution of these projects. It outlines key details such as project timelines, fund release schedules, and liquidations for both the I-REAP and I-BUILD subprojects.

During the ceremony, PSO Mindanao Project Director Macario D. Gonzaga reaffirmed the DA-PRDP team’s commitment to assisting LGUs in meeting project deadlines.

“We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure these subprojects are completed on time,” Gonzaga said. “Our technical team from the PSO and RPCO will continuously assist in delivering the highest standards of quality and efficiency.”

Deputy Project Director Carlene C. Collado, CPA, highlighted the importance of streamlining the signing process.

“Bringing all key signatories together helps accelerate project documentation, enabling us to move forward quickly and efficiently,” Collado said.

The local chief executives present during the IMA signing were Polomolok Mayor Bernie D. Palencia, Tampakan Mayor Leonard T. Escobillo, and President Roxas Mayor Jonathan O. Mahimpit.

These projects are expected to bring significant benefits to local communities by improving farmers’ livelihoods and ensuring faster access to markets for agricultural products.

The successful signing of the IMA marks a major milestone in the DA-PRDP’s goal of enhancing rural infrastructure and supporting agricultural development across Mindanao under its new flagship program, the PRDP Scale-Up. Local officials and stakeholders remain optimistic that these improvements will foster long-term agricultural growth in the region. (Joy M. Montecalvo, PSO Mindanao)