The Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA -PRDP) Regional Project Coordination Office (RPCO) Bicol conducted simultaneous trainings on subproject monitoring for community beneficiaries of two infrastructure development (I-BUILD) subprojects in Cawayan and Placer, Masbate on February 7 to 8, 2023.

A team from DA-PRDP RPCO Bicol’s Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Unit, I-BUILD Component, Geomapping and Governance Unit (GGU), Social and Environmental Safeguards (SES) Unit, and Information, Advocacy, Communication and Education (InfoACE) Unit led the trainings on Citizens Monitoring Tool (CMT), Barangay Implementing Team (BIT), Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) and Infrastructure Operations and Maintenance Committee/Group (IOMG) which focus on the citizens’ role in subproject monitoring. Project stakeholders including barangay officials from Palobandera, Dalipe, Calumpang and Iraya in Cawayan and Puro,. Pangpangan, and Camayabsan in Placer participated in the said trainings. Representatives from the Municipal Project Management and Implementation Unit (MPMIUs) of the said local government units, as well as Algimar Construction and Arky Construction and Supply, the project contractors, also attended the two-day activity.

“Mas magiging effective ‘yung monitoring kung kayo mismo doon sa barangay kung saan nandun ‘yung subproject, kayo po ‘yung magmo-monitor,” Michelle Jan Sapalaran, DA PRDP-Bicol M&E Officer, said. 

Engr. Joshua Remon, DA-PRDP RPCO Bicol Rural Infrastructure Engineer in-charge, discussed the Project’s quality assurance elements designed to guarantee that subprojects are implemented on time, in good quality and at the least cost. He introduced the participants to the CMT consisting of monitoring guide questions anchored on PRDP’s quality assurance elements, namely, Management Support System, Contract Review Processes, Inspection and Testing Procedures, Document Control Procedures, and Operation and Maintenance Procedures. Remon also facilitated the discussion and simulation of the DA-PRDP’s Applied Geotagging Tool (AGT).

Meanwhile, DA-PRDP RPCO Bicol SES Officer Teresita Blanqueza explained how SES is integrated into the project cycle. She reiterated that safeguards policies are essential to prevent or reduce adverse impacts, manage risks, and promote sustainable development. She also briefed the participants on PRDP’s CMT concerning environmental and social issues of construction.

“This is to ensure that while we are attaining sustainable development, kailangan hindi nasasakripisyo po ‘yung tatlong bagay: ‘Yung ating economic side, ‘yung ating society, at environmental aspect po ng proyekto,” she stated. 

Engr. Rudy Villanueva, Municipal Project and Management Implementation Unit (MPMIU) Head of Placer, Masbate expressed his appreciation of the trainings on CMT, BIT, GRM and IOMG saying, “The Community Monitoring Tool played a major part in expounding PRDP’s motto: ‘Enabling Communities and Expanding Opportunities.’ It enables the people living along the project-affected areas in ensuring that the subproject be done in a timely manner, with good quality and at least cost if necessary. I believe that this tool is not only intended for PRDP SPs but for forthcoming projects in the community to be aware and vigilant that the efficiency of workmanship be achieved and the social and environmental aspects also be observed with one single thought of a quality-oriented output.” 

Vimar Prieto, project engineer and resident site engineer of Algimar Construction, said that the trainings on CMT, BIT, GRM and IOMG are advantageous for the project contractor because they encourage the community’s engagement in implementing the subproject.  

As part of the training, the DA-PRDP RPCOBicol team assisted the participants in using the CMT in conducting site inspection at the Concreting of Segment (A) Palobandera to Dalipe and Segment (B) Calumpang to Iraya Farm-to-Market Road in Cawayan. 

The team also lectured on the formulation of BIT and IOMG which delineated the participants’ respective roles and responsibilities as major stakeholders/owners of the PRDP-funded subproject. They agreed to create a BIT through a barangay resolution before the end of February 2023 and present a Citizens Monitoring Plan in March 2023. Members of the BIT are assigned to conduct regular project monitoring and submit monthly reports to the DA-PRDP RPCO Bicol M&E Unit based on their monthly meetings and feedback. To sustain the CMT efforts, the DA-PRDP RPCO Bicol team will facilitate quarterly meetings with the BIT Chair and the concerned MPMIUs. 

Similar trainings were conducted in Dimasalang and Aroroy, Masbate on February 7 to 8 and February 9 to 10, 2023, respectively. CMT is one of the DA-PRDP’s tools designed to guarantee the project implementation’s quality and timeliness. It also aims to promote transparency, strengthen project operations, maintenance and sustainability, and develop communities’ sense of ownership and partnership with the Project. (Annielyn L. Baleza, DA RAFIS V/DA PRDP RPCO V InfoACE)

DA-PRDP RPCO Bicol Rural Infrastructure Engineer Engr. Joshua Remon introduces the participants to the Citizens Monitoring Tool (CMT) consisting of monitoring guide questions anchored on PRDP’s quality assurance elements.

DA-PRDP RPCO Bicol Social and Environmental Safeguards Officer Teresita Blanqueza lectures on PRDP’s CMT concerning environmental and social issues of construction.

DA-PRDP RPCO Bicol M&E Officer Michelle Jan Sapalaran discusses the formulation of BIT and IOMG as well as ways forward to sustain the Project’s CMT efforts.

DA-PRDP RPCO Bicol Rural Infrastructure Engineer Engr. Joshua Remon briefs the participants on how to conduct subproject monitoring at the Concreting of Segment (A) Palobandera to Dalipe and Segment (B) Calumpang to Iraya Farm-to-Market Road in Cawayan, Masbate as part of the Trainings on CMT, BIT, GRM and IOMG.

DA-PRDP RPCO Bicol Social and Environmental Safeguards Officer Teresita Blanqueza reiterates the value of PRDP’s CMT to address environmental and social issues of construction.

DA-PRDP RPCO Bicol Rural Infrastructure Engineer Engr. Joshua Remon guides the participants in conducting subproject monitoring using the CMT at the Concreting of Segment (A) Palobandera to Dalipe and Segment (B) Calumpang to Iraya Farm-to-Market Road in Cawayan, Masbate as part of the Trainings on CMT, BIT, GRM and IOMG.

DA-PRDP RPCO Bicol staff pose with the participants of the trainings on Citizens Monitoring Tool (CMT), Barangay Implementing Team (BIT), Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) and Infrastructure Operations and Maintenance Committee/Group (IOMG) held in Cawayan, Masbate on February 7-8, 2023.

DA-PRDP RPCO Bicol Social and Environmental Safeguards Officer Teresita Blanqueza shares her feedback after the subproject monitoring at the Concreting of Segment (A) Palobandera to Dalipe and Segment (B) Calumpang to Iraya Farm-to-Market Road in Cawayan, Masbate as part of the Trainings on CMT, BIT, GRM and IOMG.

DA-PRDP RPCO Bicol M&E Officer Michelle Jan Sapalaran reminds the participants about the post-training deliverables and ways forward to sustain the CMT efforts.1