Project Support Office – Visayas Cluster I-PLAN Component Head Imelda Q. Fernandez discusses the content of the Aide Memoir provided by the World Bank as a result of the 1st World Bank Implementation Support Mission. The Aide Memoir contains issues and problems that need to be addressed in the respective components/units under the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project.

The Project Support Office (PSO)- Visayas Cluster of the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) recently concluded its two-day coordination meeting  last Nov. 5-6 at Dohera Hotel, Mandaue City, Cebu.

The gathering commenced with a discussion of the Aide Memoire given by the World Bank and was thoroughly discussed by PSO Visayas I-PLAN Component Head Imelda Q. Fernandez. The contents of the Aide Memoire include issues and concerns experienced by every component/unit in the PSO and its respective Regional Project Coordinating Offices (RPCOs).

First on the list is the staffing status in the PSO-Visayas and RPCOs where it called for a detailed review for effective labor force.

On the other hand, the I-PLAN Component was urged to come up with a quality and enhanced Provincial Commodity Investment Plan (PCIP) to be more “action-oriented” by linking the needs to the funds availability. PCIPs also need to be reinforced as the main reference document.

Meanwhile, the Infrastructure Development (I-BUILD) was encouraged to venture more on other infrastructure projects other than farm-to-market roads (FMR), noting that most of the pipelined infra-subprojects mostly consist of FMRs.

The Enterprise Development (I-REAP), at the same time, was prodded for more effective technical review of it enterprise subprojects.

Issues in units under the I-SUPPORT Component were also addressed like the Systematic Data Recording under the Administration calling for the creation of a masterframe to digitize all project documents.

Next to speak was PSO Visayas Deputy Project Director Cirilo N. Namoc who reported regarding the updates in the Visayas cluster in terms of PCIPs according to completed Value Chain Analysis, number of approved subprojects under IBUILD, and such.

Noting that the I-BUILD Component has been focused on FMRs, FMRs with bridges, and/or bridge, he encouraged the infrastructure component to spread out to other types of subprojects.

“We need to be proactive in other subprojects like Potable Water System and Communal Irrigation System,” said Namoc.

A break-out session followed in the afternoon where participants divided themselves according to RPCO and discussed their respective Work and Financial Plan for the remaining two months of 2015, as well as for calendar year 2016. (September Noon A. Macahilo, PSO Visayas Info-ACE)