Seven new enterprises and infrastructures worth P502 million from the Provinces of Batangas, Laguna, and Quezon received approval from the Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB) of the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) on September 25.

“These proposals represent the continued support of local government units (LGUs) in PRDP. We assure you that we will provide you with all the assistance to make these proposals a reality,” RPAB Chairperson and Department of Agriculture CALABARZON Regional Executive Director Arnel de Mesa said.

Two enterprise development (I-REAP) subprojects supported by the City Government of Tanauan were approved. The P21 million-worth “Tanauan City Dairy Enterprise” subproject of the Samahan ng mga Maggagatas ng Batangas Cooperative will infuse foreign stock from New Zealand to establish a communal farm. Meanwhile, the “Tanauan City Mango Trading and Processing Enterprise” subproject is a P6 million-worth business of the Tanauan Mango Producers Association that will maximize profit from mango farms by selling fresh mangoes and processed products.

The Quezon Provincial Government will shoulder the 20 percent LGU counterpart for the “Establishment of Dairy Multiplier Farm” subproject in Sariaya, Quezon. The P20 million-worth subproject of the Palcon Cooperative will also import superior dairy cattle to improve the cooperative’s livestock and supply of raw milk.

Another RPAB-approved enterprise is the “Luisiana Tablea Factory” subproject of the Municipal Government of Luisiana, Laguna. This P8 million-worth proposal of the Luisiana Cacao Growers Association aims to elevate the town’s cacao industry and for it to be known for quality products.

For new infrastructure development (I-BUILD) subprojects, a 12-kilometer farm-to-market road (FMR) in Catanauan, Quezon will provide incentive for farmers to cultivate their land. The Catanauan Municipal Government will support the P123 million-worth “Concreting of San Isidro–Bolo–San Vicente Kanluran–San Vicente Silangan–Sta. Maria (Dao) FMR” subproject. The FMR’s road influence area will benefit 10 barangays and the adjacent barangays of General Luna, Quezon.

The RPAB also approved the “Concreting of Poblacion–Pinag-agan FMR” subproject of Panukulan, Quezon. This P131 million-worth, 8.14-kilometer road will help reduce the travel time from 40 to 15 minutes and the hauling cost from P100 to P50 for farmers and residents in at least five barangays.

The 13.9-kilometer “Rehabilitation and Concreting of Concepcion Palasan to Manggalang Kiling FMR” subproject worth P194 million of Sariaya, Quezon was also approved by the Board. This will benefit ten barangays and will help ensure that the town remains as a major agricultural area.

In addition to these new ventures, the variation order cost for three I-BUILD subprojects were also approved. These subprojects include the P457,000-worth subproject of Lobo, Batangas, the P15 million-worth subproject of Macalelon, Quezon, and the P9 million-worth subproject of San Antonio, Quezon. Reasons for alteration include realignments, additional works, and other design changes.

Agency-members present were the heads and representatives of the regional offices of DA, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Public Works and Highways, DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and Regional Agricultural and Fisheries Council. Also present was a representative of the Department of Science and Technology. ### (Lawrence Albert Bariring, DA-PRDP CALABARZON RPCO)