“We should not only focus on coming up with sub -project proposals rather we need to also look at such aspects on how it would potentially impact on improving the lives of our ruralfolk and promoting sustainable agricultural development,” says DA-8’s Regional Executive Director Leo P. Cañeda during the PCIP Preparation Workshop held at the Sabin Resort Hotel, Ormoc City on August 26-28, 2015.

“The holding of this activity is just right in time. Starting next year we will need compliance with the required Priority Commodity Investment Plan (PCIP) before any of our proposed sub -projects could be enrolled under the PRDP,” he disclosed.

RED Cañeda adds, “After we have completed the Value Chain Analysis, this time, we need to finalize our PCIPs. It may not be easy and may possibly take awhile but we should just build on the gains we have achieved so far and never simply lay waste our efforts. Once the PCIPs are ready, series of stakeholders’ forum will be conducted before these could even be finalized.”

Highlights during the 3-day activity are: 1) Re-orientation on the PRDP; 2) Introductory to PCIP; 3) Lecture on Geo-mapping and Governance; 4) Lecture on Integration of Biodiversity in the preparation of PCIP, and; 4) Workshop on the finalization of the PCIPs.

This activity was attended by some key personnel comprising the Provincial/City and Municipal Project Management Implementing Units throughout the region, personnel from the Regional Project Coordination Office-8, and from the Project Support Office for Visayas, Ms Imelda Fernandez- I-PLAN Component Head, Mr. Dennis Huervana – Natural Resource Specialist, and Ms Gretchen Gayona and Mr Carlo Willister Jontilla – Project Development Assistants.

Priority commodities initially identified to be supported under the project were: Coconut (Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte and the municipality of Sogod), Banana (Leyte and Samar); Swine (Tacloban City), and, Vegetable –pinakbet type (Ormoc City). (RGMacapañasInfoACE RPCO 8)