The I-REAP Component under the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) Project Support Office (PSO) South Luzon and Regional Project Coordination Office (RPCO) CALABARZON recently conducted a site visit and coordination meeting with the following completed enterprise subprojects in Tanauan, Batangas on March 1-3, 2022.

The DA-PRDP I-REAP Team, comprised of PSO South Luzon Component Head John Darel Colarina, along with Business Development Specialist Gay Bañez, officers Precious Aquino, Kristel Vito, and Colene Magpantay headed to Tanauan in preparation for the 14th World Bank Implementation Support Mission.

One of the completed subprojects visited is the Tanauan City Banana Production, Trading and Processing Enterprise. Lead Proponent Group (PG), Tanauan Organic and Natural Farmers Association Incorporated (TONFA Inc.), reported that they still continued the venture of trading fresh bananas, and is now developing their vacuum-fried banana chip production, having partnerships with several marketplaces within Tanauan City for product marketing.

The team had also conducted a separate briefing and assessment with the PGs ‘Magsasakang Tanaueño Agricultural Marketing Cooperative’ for mango enterprise and ‘Samahan ng Maggagatas ng Batangas Dairy Cooperative (SAMABACO)’ for dairy, and will call for another coordination activity as to whom will represent the CALABARZON region for this year’s 14th World Bank Implementation Support Mission that is expected to commence in the month of May. (Eli Ocial, DA-PRDP RPCO CALABARZON InfoACE Unit)

Tanauan Mango proponent group, ‘Magsasakang Tanaueño Agricultural Marketing Cooperative’

I-REAP Specialist Gay Banez in conference with TONFA members

SAMABACO Dairy heifers

PRDP-supported product ‘Special Banana Chips’ made by proponent group TONFA Inc.