LEGAZPI CITY, ALBAY – The six provinces of Bicol region received P10.96 billion-worth of non-Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) investments as a result of its convergence with other national government agencies (NGAs).

This was announced by PRDP-Bicol Planning Specialist, Mary Ann Cuya, during the Bicol Regionwide Provincial Commodity Investment Plan (PCIP) Implementation Assessment and Interagency Convergence Planning for 2021 Budget Inclusion held in this city on November 26-29, 2019.

The activity aimed to continue the operationalization of the inter-agency convergence and enhance, update and institutionalize the PCIPs with the NGAs and the provinces of Bicol as a planning tool for implementation.

Of the total amount invested, P1.69 billion-worth of interventions were completed, P813.14 million programs and projects are on-going, P8.13 billion are proposed while P323.66 million are under procurement.

The report, which was generated from the PRDP web-based Management Information System investment tracking, shows that among the top contributors to the inter-agency convergence are the Department of Agriculture (DA), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Other supporters are the municipal and provincial local government units, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Science and Technology, Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Present during the activity were representatives from different NGAs in Bicol. These include DA, PCA DPWH, PhilFIDA, the Department of Agrarian Reform, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department of Education, Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center, and National Meat Inspection Service.

These NGA representatives assisted the Provincial Project Management and Implementation Units (PPMIUs) of the six provinces in the region in their planning and budgeting workshop.

PRDP-Bicol I-PLAN Component Head, Aloha Gigi Bañaria, called for the participants’ support in the VCA and PCIP updating. She also suggested the inclusion of the private sector in the inter-agency convergence.

“Hopefully next year, maraming VCAs ang ma-update, maraming No Objection Letter issuance and that of the PCIP updating. Ang importante yung investment para po sa satuyang mga paraoma asin mga parasira (Hopefully next year, more VCAs and PCIPs will be updated and more issuance of No Objection Letter and that of the PCIP updating. What is important is the investment for farmers and fisherfolk.)” she added.

As of November 14, 2019, I-PLAN Bicol accounts for 29 percent share of approved value chain analysis (VCAs) of the South Luzon Cluster with 11 approved VCAs. Six provinces and one city in the region also have updated PCIPs. The VCAs and PCIPs served as the DA-Bicol’s basis in the crafting of the Bicol Regional Agriculture and Fishery Modernization Plan (RAFMP) as well as in the annual planning and budgeting process. – Annielyn Baleza, DA-RAFIS BICOL

Marianito Tesorero of DA-Bicol shares their insights on the agency’s support to the interagency convergence

NGA representatives assist the PPMIUs in the preparation of their budget and plans