The Department of Agriculture Philippine Rural Development Project (DA PRDP) Coordination Office 2 conducted the second leg of orientation for Cagayan Province to formally cascade the DA PRDP Scale-up, on Feb. 8, 2023, at DA Southern Cagayan Research Center, Minanga Norte, Iguig, Cagayan. 

Project Support Office Northern Luzon Deputy Director Elma Mananes presented the project overview. She also said the office is open for collaborations since the PRDP will assist the interested proponent groups in infrastructure and enterprise support.

Regional Executive and Project Director Narciso A. Edillo said the PRDP Scale-up aims to continually improve farmers’ and fisherfolk’s access to markets and profitability in selected value chains.

Speaking to the mayors, he said the ongoing PRDP focused on catalyzing the startup, expansion, and business orientation of micro- to medium-scale agri-fishery enterprises, along with support for market access infrastructure; the proposed PRDP Scale-up project would involve a greater focus on a more strategic approach through public infrastructure interventions to improve supply chain connectivity and efficiencies while supporting private sector-led common service facility development and operations.

The fruitful discussions led to encouraging the local chief executives of Cagayan to avail such projects of the DA PRDP since scale-up is underway. 

Right now, the Cagayan province has received six infrastructure support amounting to 572.68M PHP under IBUILD, while there were 15 sub-projects granted to proponent groups amounting to 41.39M PHP.

The provinces of Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, and Batanes will follow the series of orientations. 

In attendance are: Peñablanca Mayor Washington Taguinod, Tuao Mayor William Mamba, Camalaniugan Mayor Isidro Cabaddu, Sta. Teresita Mayor Rodrigo de Gracia, Claveria Mayor Lucille Angelus Yapo, Lasam Mayor Dante Dexter Agatep, Piat Mayor Leonel Guzman, Rizal Acting Mayor Brenda Ruma, Sta.Praxedes Esterlina Aguinaldo, Amulung Mayor Elpidio Rendon, Enrile Mayor Miguel Decena, Jr., and Iguig Mayor Ferdinand Trinidad. (InfoAce Cagayan Valley)