With high hopes of inclusion in the 2018 funding of the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP), the Cordillera Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB) unanimously approved seven new infrastructure and enterprise subprojects worth P629.86 million.

In a meeting held recently, Engr. Danilo P. Daguio, Regional Project Coordination Office-CAR (RPCO-CAR) Deputy Project Director commended the proponents for having prepared the subproject proposals in time for presentation to the RPAB.

The Board approved three enterprise and four infrastructure subprojects in support to coffee, banana (cardava), and aromatic/pigmented rice in the provinces of Kalinga, Mt. Province, Apayao, and Ifugao.

The approved enterprise subprojects were Banana (Cardava) Consolidation and Marketing proposed by the Daram-Cudal Multi-Purpose Cooperative (DCMPC) in Tabuk City, Kalinga worth P13.20M; Coffee Processing with Cupping Laboratory in Sagada, Mt. Province proposed by the Sagada Arabica Coffee Growers and Producers Organization (SACGPO) worth P4.13M; and Coffee Processing and Marketing in Calanasan, Apayao proposed by the Calanasan Masipag Farmers MPC worth P4.55M.

“These subprojects will address constraints identified in the Value Chain Analysis (VCA) that will eventually lead to farmers increase in income, reduced post-harvest losses, and market links and opportunities through PRDP interventions,” said RPCO-CAR I-REAP Component Head Jocelyn W. Beray.

On the other hand, the approved infrastructure subprojects were: Construction of Anaba-Ducligan-Banao Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) with Bridge in Banaue, Ifugao worth P246M; Improvement of Junction-Alimit-Nattum FMR in Mayoyao, Ifugao worth P129M; Improvement of Balang-Bocao FMR with Bridge in Kabayan, Benguet worth  P113.29M; and the Improvement of Cabatacan-San Mariano-San Jose FMR in Pudtol, Apayao worth P119.58M.

For the Project’s additional financing for 2018, RPCO-CAR I-BUILD Component Head Engr. Gaston Cael explained that LGUs and FMR subprojects will be prioritized through a weighted scoring system based on LGU performance, economic and social impacts as well as technical conditions.

With this, Daguio urged the proponents to complete and comply the technical and social requirements and guidelines imposed by the Project the soonest.

Meanwhile, Department of Trade and Industries (DTI) Benguet Provincial Director Freda M. Gawisan advised the proponents to dwell more on the discussion of the direct impact of the proposed subprojects in the feasibility studies/ business plans.

The RPAB is tasked to provide guidance, review and approve subprojects for funding under the PRDP. (Elvy S. Taquio, RPCO-CAR InfoACE)