As its evaluation initiative, the DA-PRDP conducted the Rapid Appraisal of Emerging Benefits (RAEB) of the PhP71.9 million improved R.A. Padilla to Bunga farm-to-market road (FMR) in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija on June 6-10, 2022.

According to the RAEB team, the initial findings on the 7-kilometer FMR prompted a number of emerging benefits including reduced travel time by 50%, decreased hauling cost and increased traffic count. Furthermore, other benefits were observed along the FMR such as new established businesses and increased market value of farm lots by 300-500%.

“Noon pong una, ang daan ng Brgy. Bunga papuntang bayang ng Carranglan ay bako-bako po subalit nong nagkaroon ng project na galling po ng PRDP, ginawa pong kongkreto ang daan. Ang naitulong po ng daan ay talagang malaki po dahil sa nailalabas kaagad ‘yong mga produkto na inaani tuwing anihan at hindi na nabubulok at tuloy tuloy na po sa pamilihang bayan.”, said Mr. Guillermo Arquero, a 69-year-old farmer, who recalled the FMR’s former situation and how the improved road helped him and his co-farmers.

(At first, we had a rough road from Brgy, Bunga going to town but it’s now a concrete one because of PRDP. The new road is a huge help because we can now immediately transport our products every harvest season to the town market instead of being perished.)

This activity aims to determine the success of the subproject based on the identified benefits and overall impact on the communities traversed by the FMR. It also serves as a way to convey feedback to PRDP stakeholders which would be used to formulate recommendations for the subproject’s sustainability and further projects that would maximize its benefits.

The Regional Project Coordinating Office 3 (RPCO 3), with the Project Support Office (PSO) – Norh Luzon Cluster, assembled a technical team headed by the M&E Unit head, June H. Lacasandile, to facilitate the activity comprised of the household survey participated by 30 farmer beneficiaries, focus group discussion (FGD) joined by 10 officials from Brgy. R.A. Padilla and Brgy. Bunga, key informant interview (KII) with three cooperative chairmen and two trader groups, and spot interviews with beneficiaries from different sectors. The participants for the activity were selected through the pre-RAEB activity wherein they were oriented and geotagged to make sure they are qualified to provide the information needed for the RAEB.

The 5-day activity was concluded with the unveiling of the project marker located at the KM 0 of the FMR attended by the RPCO 3 staff led by Action Officer Maricel Dullas, local government unit headed by the Municipal Mayor Mary Abad, incoming LGU officials, barangay officials, and cooperative beneficiaries. An audio-visual presentation (AVP), prepared by the RPCO 3 Information, Advocacy, Communication and Education (InfoACE) unit, was shown during the program which showcases the eight I-BUILD subprojects consisting the FMR, the San Agustin Community Irrigation System, Aromatic Rice Mill, and five warehouses in different barangays and six I-REAP subprojects implemented in Carranglan.

“Maraming salamat sa PRDP sa tuloy-tuloy na suporta at malaking bagay ang mga ganitong proyekto hindi lamang para sa mga magsasaka kungi para sa pag-unlad ng bayan ng Carranglan.” Mayor Abad said expressing her gratitude on behalf of her constituents on the visible improvements on the town brought about by the various PRDP subprojects in the town.

(We thank the PRDP a lot for the continuous support and these projects are a big deal, not only for our farmers, but also for the progress of our town, Carranglan.) (Ram Bill Bautista, InfoACE RPCO3)