LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET – Around 170 farmers were consulted for an enterprise subproject proposal on the production and marketing of potato planting materials for funding under the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP).

As part of the implementation procedures of the PRDP, consultations should be conducted to ensure that proposed subprojects are viable, environmentally and socially sound, and sustainable.

The subproject proposal was initiated by the municipal Local Government Unit of La Trinidad together with SRT La Trinidad Cooperative of Benguet (SRTLTCB) as the Proponent Group (PG).

During the consultation, Freddie Langpaoen, the coop’s BOD chair said that a sustainable supply of potato planting materials should be established for farmers not to rely on recycled and imported planting materials.

“We have never been self-sufficient when it comes to potato planting materials and we result to importation. Hence, we are asking for your support in this endeavor as we aim to establish a sustainable supply of potato stem cuttings and tuberlets here in La Trinidad,” said Langpaoen.

The subproject intends provide a sustainable supply of planting materials for farmers in the top potato producing municipalities of Benguet and some areas in Mountain Province.

Although La Trinidad is not a potato producing area, Municipal Agriculturist Felicitas Ticbaen said that they are hopeful for the approval and implementation of the enterprise subproject not only to cater to the needs of potato growers in the province but also to enhance potato production and provide livelihood opportunities.

Moreover, Rigi May Copatan of the PRDP Regional Project Coordination Office-CAR (RPCO-CAR) Social and Environmental Safeguards (SES) unit explained that subproject beneficiaries should be informed about their proposal, the benefits they will receive through the subproject, the equipment they are requesting and other relevant information regarding the subproject.

The participants of the consultation were also informed on their rights to participate in changing the details the business proposal.

In coordination with the municipal LGU of La Trinidad and the RPCO-CAR, SRTLTCB is currently working on a business proposal that is scheduled to be reviewed by the PRDP’s National and Project Support Office this month.

According to Mary Ann Wayet of the RPCO-CAR I-REAP component, a series of workshop for the preparation and finalization of the business plan will be conducted prior to its presentation to the Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB).

“Once it is endorsed by the RPAB and issued with No Objection Letter (NOL), the enterprise subproject is expected to be implemented by the end of the year,” she said.

With the positive outcome of the consultation and the members’ acceptance of the subproject proposal, the PG is hopeful for the cooperation of their members for the success of their subproject. Meanwhile, Ticbaen commended the PG for taking the challenge to lead the enterprise subproject.

To date, the municipality of La Trinidad has already completed all its ongoing infrastructure and enterprise subprojects funded under the PRDP. This includes slope protection subprojects in various barangays and micro-enterprise subprojects in support to strawberry, lettuce, and cut flower production among others. ### (ELVY S. TAQUIO, CARPCO InfoACE)