Aside from being the first province to have completed two (2) farm-to-market roads (FMRs) which are Mallig and Cabagan FMRs in Region 2 and having the first Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP)-funded Capirpiriwan diversion dam to be finished two and a half months ahead of its target completion date without incurring negative slippages throughout its construction, Isabela Province continues to earn its stars as the Provincial Government is again set to construct three (3) warehouses with solar dryers.

The Provincial Project Management and Implementing Unit (PPMIU) held groundbreaking ceremonies for three (3) more warehouses in barangays Dagupan, San Mateo; District III, Gamu; and Dona Concha, Roxas, Isabela.

The Project Support Office (PSO) awarded a Plaque of Recognition to PLGU Isabela during the Luzon A Cluster General Assembly held in Subic recently, for having the most number of approved I-BUILD subprojects. All in all, there are 22 approved subprojects in Isabela Province.

“This only shows that our stakeholders are with our mandate in bringing inclusive growth in the countryside. Let us see to it that the rest will be benefited. We fortify our linkages with the Local Government Units,” Regional Executive Director Narciso A. Edillo said in a statement.

RED Edillo was supposed to attend the groundbreaking ceremonies but he was too busy for the Grand Farm Festival at Southern Cagayan Research Center-Cagayan Breeding Station (SCRC-CBS) in Solana, Cagayan, the first celebration ever held of its kind.

“As we start the construction of the Mungbean Warehouse with Solar Dryer which amounts to 6.8 million pesos under I-REAP Component, let us be united and do our part in proving that San Mateo is the biggest mungbean producer in the Philippines. This opportunity paves way for smallholding farmers, with the proponent group, San Mateo Rural Improvement Club Development Cooperative at the helm,” Mayor Crispina Agcaoili said.

San Mateo is the biggest producer of mungbean in the Philippines with a production of 800 to 1,000 kilos/ha, reason enough for the town to be labeled as the Mungbean Capital of the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Mayor Jonathan Calderon of Roxas, Isabela said that that the warehouse to be constructed will be of great help to the farm folks there. The proponent group, Roxas Tobacco Farmers Cooperative said that such a project will not only benefit the members of the cooperative but also small holding, non-member farmers.

“This is a 12 million worth stand-alone subproject and we thank PRDP for helping us out. On the other hand, our FMR, San Placido-Sinamar is already 100% complete. Transportation of products will be far better now,” Mayor Calderon said.

Likewise, in Gamu town, the warehouse which amounts to 12 million pesos proposed by Payoga-Kapatagan Multipurpose Cooperative is also a stand-alone subproject under PRDP.

“These are the last of the stand-alone subprojects. We are in the process of finalizing our proposals for the additional financing and the FOREX,” Engr. Rizalina Valencia, Isabela Action Officer said. (Ferdinand N. Cortez, RPCO2 InfoACE)