To continuously achieve the Department of Agriculture Philippine Rural Development Project’s (DA PRDP) goals and objectives, Asec. Arnel De Mesa, National Project director, urged the local chief executives of the provinces of Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya to avail projects such as infrastructure and enterprise support during the Scale-Up orientation, February 9, 2023, at Capitol Hills Rd., Cabarroguis, Quirino.

Also, the Assistant Secretary of Operations, De Mesa, said that Quirino has 11 subprojects amounting to 809, 753, 421.53 php, spanning 57km under IBUILD, and with 7.32M php total cost of subprojects for IREAP.

“While in Nueva Vizcaya, four subprojects amount to 528, 865, 189 php spanning 7.85 

km under IBUILD, and with 22.4 M php total cost of subprojects for IREAP,” he ended. 

On the other hand, Deputy Project Director for North Luzon Elma Mananes presented the overview of the DA PRDP. She said local government units play an important role in achieving development in the countryside.

Representing Quirino Gov. Dakila Cua, Elmar Villaruel, executive assistant IV lauds the program because it shows convergence initiative in all sectors to achieve inclusive growth, not only in the agriculture sector, while boosting tourism and protecting the environment. 

Deputy Project Director Rosemary G. Aquino, representing Regional Executive Director Narciso A. Edillo, emphasized the ongoing PRDP focused on catalyzing the startup, expansion, and business orientation of micro- to medium-scale agri-fishery enterprises, along with support for market access infrastructure; the proposed PRDP Scale-up project would involve a greater focus on a more strategic approach through public infrastructure interventions to improve supply chain connectivity and efficiencies while supporting private sector-led common service facility development and operations.

“The program will also offer community and livelihood sub-projects to include crop, fishery, and animal production and the establishment and operation of common service facilities in the production, post-harvest, and marketing, such as market stalls, cold chains, and fish landings,” she ended.

In attendance were Kasibu Mayor Romeo Tayaban, Ambaguio Mayor Ronelio Danao, Kayapa Mayor Elizabeth Balasya, Dupax del Sur Mayor Ruben Banconsillo, Jr., and Saguday Mayor Jerry M. Pagbilao. (InfoAce Cagayan Valley)