TARLAC – The Regional Project Coordination Office (RPCO 3) of the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) conducted a monitoring on the construction of the P3 million Establishment of Nursery and Consolidation Area for Sweet Potato Clean Planting Materials (CPM) in Mayantoc San Bartolome & Poblacion Sur and the P5.4 million Mango Trading Station in Sta Ignacia, here.

Joining the Monitoring Team are I-BUILD Rural Infrastructure Engineers Mary Joyce Quiros, Romel G. Tiangco together with Associate Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer Alvin Mariano, Associate Social and Environmental Safeguards (SES) Officer Prince Roy Cruz and the Tarlac Provincial Project Management and Implementing Unit (PPMIU).

According to Engr. Quiros, the Nursery and Consolidation Area aims to increase the income of the farmer-beneficiaries through the marketing of sweet potato CPM likewise the provision of land preparation and delivery services.

Also, the Mango Trading Station is seen to increase the production of mango to meet the market requirement while increasing the income of mango growers/farmers by at least 75% during harvest season, Engr. Quiros added.

The establishment of such facilities are interventions provided by the DA-PRDP to help farmers to kick start income generating activities in response to the challenges brought about the thriving economy in Tarlac. (Ma. Reina Len Luna, RPCO3 InfoACE)