By Sherwin B. Manual

The government’s poverty alleviation project in Mindanao has earmarked a total of P1.265 billion worth of livelihood assistance to farmers and peoples’ organizations.

The Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) said the amount was intended for a total of 3,780 agri-based livelihoods benefitting a total of 161,112 individuals across Mindanao.

Of the figures, 2,731 subprojects have been completed amounting to P842.038 million; 549 subprojects are on-going costing P234.757 million and 500 subprojects amounting to P168.65 million more are ready for implementation.

MRDP is a long-term poverty alleviation of the DA in Mindanao aimed to improve the lot of small farmers. The World Bank and the counterparts from national and local government units jointly fund the program.

“The program has benefited a total of 161,112 comprising farmers, women, out-of-school youth organizations, including significant number of Indigenous Peoples,” said Program Director Lealyn A. Ramos.

In the review mission of the World Bank this week, it was noted that the Community Fund for Agricultural Development (CFAD), the component implemented livelihood projects has significantly improved having reached 86 percent disbursement rate exceeding the second quarter target of 85 percent disbursement.

Ramos said the program has ensured that through its well-define regulations and policies it has sifted compliant and legitimate organizations to benefit its agri-based livelihood assistance.

“The farmer organizations and cooperatives were endorsed by their respective local government units based on their legitimate legal identity and clean track record,” Ramos said.

She added that to instill among the beneficiaries the sense of project ownership they were also required to at least 10% provide the necessary counterpart either in-kind or cash.

Region 12 registered the most number of completed subprojects with 694 out of the total 770 subprojects amounting to P242.5 million. The region also leads in the disbursement registering 93% disbursement rate.

Caraga Region completed 527 subprojects out of the 686; Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) posted 516 completed out of 775; Davao region reported 398 subprojects out of 560; Region 9 completed 301 out of 506; and ARMM with 295 out of 483.

In terms of total budget allocation Regions 10 and Caraga both accessed a total of P250 million, while Region 12 sliced 242.5 million; Davao region 202.5million; ARMM 192.5 and Region 9 with P127.5 million.

CFAD applies the demand-driven approach where the farmer-beneficiaries plan, decide, procure, implement and manage their livelihood activities.

“In the span of almost six years now, our beneficiaries can indeed testify to the benefits of the livelihood projects which the farmers have identified for themselves,” Ramos said.

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