Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (center) signs a Memorandum of Agreement with Bohol Governor Edgardo Chatto (right) and 1st District Congressman Rene Relampagos which signals the start of the implementation of the Philippine Rural Development Program in the province on March 22, 2014. (Photo by: Alan Jay Jacalan) Alcala, Gov Chatto ink PRDP MoA for Bohol
Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala and Bohol Governor Edgardo Chatto jointly signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) which officially kicks off the implementation of the Philippine Rural Development Program in Bohol.
Alcala who was in the province to turn-over farm implements and projects to the local government and farmers and fishers expressed his admiration for Bohol, which is able to rise and rehabilitate quickly from devastation brought about by a 7.2-magnitude earthquake in October, last year.
The province, which is the first to sign a MoA on PRDP with Secretary Alcala, is proposing for a feed mill, coconut processing plant and farm-to-market road under the program. Its two identified priority commodities are coconut and livestock.
Alcala encouraged local leaders to take part in the PRDP, stressing that the program can be instrumental in funding major projects relative to growth in agri-fishery sector in their respective areas.
“You will be able to speed up agriculture-related projects in your locality with the PRDP, with only 10% equity of the total project cost,” Alcala explained.
He also disclosed that the Bohol provincial government is allotting P200 million as equity for PRDP sub-projects.
According to PRDP Visayas Program Support Office Deputy Director Tess Solis, the MoA signing indicates the commitment of both the local government unit of Bohol and the Department of Agriculture to undertake the Program in the area.
She also explained that sub-projects can be started as soon as necessary requirements are completed such as feasibility study, detailed engineering design, and business plan, among others.
He further added that PRDP requires local governments to propose lucrative projects that are aligned with the priority commodities of their region.
PRDP is a six-year program designed to establish inclusive and market oriented agri-fishery sector through strategic investments in priority commodity value chains expanding market access, and improving competitiveness among others. (Catherine Nanta, NPCO-InfoACE)
