MOUNTAIN PROVINCE – The Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) seeked opinions of all stakeholders in its effort to strengthen and develop agri-fishery based enterprises through alternative livelihoods and support facilities.

Consultations with the beneficiaries of the proposed enterprise subprojects and relevant stakeholders were held in Bauko (May 3) and in Barlig, Mt. Province (May 4) that highlighted the community’s acceptance of the proposed subprojects.

The Sadsadan Association of Vegetable Producers, Inc. in Bauko are proposing for Tuberlet Production and Marketing Enterprise while the Barlig Development Cooperative are proposing for Heirloom Rice Production and Marketing Enterprise.

Standards and necessary documents required under the PRDP were discussed specifically on Social and Environmental Safeguards (SES) compliance to ensure the protection and conservation of the natural resource base of identified enterprises.

The project beneficiaries were then informed of their rights to participate in the changing of the subproject design and their rights to compensation if any of their properties will be affected.

With the presence of representatives from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and from the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the participants were as well informed of their right to Free and Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) regarding the introduction and implementation of projects, activities and other undertakings that will affect them and their ancestral domains to ensure their economic, social and cultural well-being.

Further, the requirements for the issuance of Certificate of Non-Coverage/ Environmental Compliance Certificate as requirements under the SES Unit of the PRDP were also discussed.

Among the issues raised during the consultations include the design standards for the storage and other infrastructure facilities to be constructed as part of their proposals and the documents required regarding the site/ lot for the construction of the facilities.

At the end of the consultations, the beneficiaries committed to support the projects and comply with all the documents required by the PRDP. (Elvy S. Taquio, DA-PRDP CARPCO InfoACE)