All Provincial Development Councils (PDCs) in CALABARZON endorsed the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) Scale-Up to the CALABARZON Regional Development Council (RDC) of the National Economic Development Authority – a big step for the project to be implemented successfully in the region.

The PDC comprises local chief executives, Provincial Association of Barangay Council president, heads of local government agencies/departments, and representatives from the private sector and non-government organizations. Led by the provincial governor, the PDC aims to lead and develop plans and policies relating to socio-economic issues and development in the locality.

DA-PRDP Regional Project Coordination Office CALABARZON Project Director Engr. Marcos Aves, Sr. gave his deepest gratitude to the PDCs for their support. He said that the DA-PRDP Scale-Up if implemented, can bring even more positive changes to the agriculture and fisheries sector because of its broader scope and a greater focus on climate-change resilience, clustering of farmers, the palay and corn commodities, geomapping, and social and environmental safeguards.

The RDC’s CALABARZON Sectoral Committee in Economic Development recently endorsed the DA-PRDP Scale-Up. The decision of the RDC on the project is expected in June. 

The DA-PRDP Scale-Up of the DA and the World Bank is the expanded version of the DA-PRDP that aims to improve the efficiency of the food supply chain, ensure the availability of affordable and quality food in the market, and increase the income of farmers and fisherfolks. It targets to benefit LGUs and groups actively involved in the agriculture sector, such as FCAs, FCA clusters, processors, and consolidators, by funding and implementing infrastructure and enterprise subprojects. #

The Quezon PDC was the first to endorse the PRDP Scale-Up in the CALABARZON region, last March 7. Immediately after, the Quezon PLGU conducted an orientation on the said project to its municipal and city LGUs in partnership with the DA-PRDP RPCO 4A. (Photo by Mary Jane Rayosa, CALABARZON I-PLAN Component)

The Cavite PDC, led by Governor Jonvic Remulla, endorsed the DA-PRDP Scale-Up to the RDC last May 25. (Photo by Mary Ann Macaraig, CALABARZON I-PLAN Component)

The province of Rizal looks forward to an improved agriculture sector as its Provincial Development Council endorsed the DA-PRDP Scale-Up to the CALABARZON RDC last March 29 . (Photo by Mary Ann Macaraig, CALABARZON I-PLAN Component)

After endorsing the DA-PRDP Scale-Up to the RDC last March 7, the Batangas PDC expressed its eagerness to take part in the project by identifying the commodities they will focus on for potential subprojects. (Photo by Myrelle Joy Bejasa)

After further discussions, representatives from the Laguna LGU and the private sector of the Laguna PDC endorsed the DA-PRDP Scale-Up to the CALABARZON RDC last April 19. (Photo by Mary Ann Macaraig, CALABARZON I-PLAN Component)