Paraiso, Tarlac – Prior to the presentation of three enterprise proposals to the Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB) by proponent groups in Central Luzon, a review and finalization was held initiated by the Regional Project Coordination Office 3 (RPCO3) last January 13.

I-REAP component head William Valdez and RPCO3 Alternate Focal Person Gil David led the pre-RPAB activity for the subprojects, whose purpose is for the proponent groups to practice the presentation of their proposed subprojects, finalize the data and costing of their projects and to meet all the comments regarding their enterprise.

The Establishment of Nucleus Breeder Farm for the Production of Breeder Bucks and Does for Meat and Dairy Type Goats in the Province of Tarlac amounting to P17,049,391.30 will benefit the Abagon Compact Farm and Seed Growers Multi-Purpose Cooperative who have been long engaged in the production of rice varieties for seeds and excelling in this enterprise.

The Bonifacio Multi-Purpose Cooperative is the proponent group of the Establishment of Peeled Cassava Processing Center and Custom Service Provider in Pampanga amounting to P11, 763,540. Located in Floridablanca, Pampanga, the cooperative is involved in trading and marketing of foods and non-food items, lending and farm service provision, and goat raising.

The Consolidation and Marketing of Goats with Multiplier Farm and Contract Growing with a total project cost of P16, 489, 190 will be presented by the Palay and Cassava Agriculture Cooperative. The cooperative aims to process peeled cassava and provide services in land preparation. This project will produce peeled cassava for sale to food processors in Metro Manila and South Luzon.

“Based from our previous experience in implementing projects, we are usually faced by some problems. So this time we want to make sure that the comments from RPCO will be complied,” said Valdez.

The region plans to target other qualified groups around February to March. “I hope you (PGs) will give your best to finish your business plans and coordinate with our office,” he added.

During the activity David reminded the groups about the one of the objectives of the project – to provide at least five percent increase in annual real farm incomes in household beneficiaries.

He also gave the updates on the 134 Small Livelihood Projects (SLPs), 133 by which are already obligated while the remaining one (Nueva Ecija) has not been obligated since it has no Implementation Management Agreement (IMA). (Dianne Lapuz, DA-PRDP RPCO3 InfoACE Unit)