TARLAC – The Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) continues to promote transparency in project implementation by engaging beneficiaries to provide feedback through the conduct of Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) thru citizen monitoring training (CMT).

This, after the Regional Project Coordination Office (RPCO 3) conducted a CMT to the Raniag Primary Multi-Purpose Cooperative and Abagon Compact Farm and Seed Growers Multi-Purpose Cooperative with the presence of the Provincial Project Management Implementing Unit (PPMIU) of Tarlac, here, on September 4, 2020 to involve stakeholders and enhance citizen participation.

According to Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer Cristina Domenden, CMT seeks to ensure efficient implementation in accordance with the approved plans and designs of the civil works – Establishment of Common Service Facilities (Post-Harvest and Marketing Operations) for Aromatic and Pigmented Rice and the Establishment of Nucleus Farm for the Production of Breeder Bucks and Does for Meat and Dairy Type Goats.

Domenden stressed that participants are to be trained to use monitoring tools developed by the DA-PRDP to help supervise the construction of the subprojects from beginning until its completion.

She also reminded the participants to address rising concerns to Raniag Resident Engineer Rico Archeta, Abagon Resident Engineer Sergio Erese and Rural Infrastructure Engineer Mary Joyce Quiros, assigned to supervise the subprojects, to avoid misunderstanding with the contractor.

It can be remembered that the groundbreaking of the said subprojects commenced recently and construction has begun which requires proper monitoring and supervision.

Social and Environmental Safeguards (SES) Officer Jes Surla, the integration of safeguards in the whole project cycle is essential to manage risks and ensure better outcomes for communities.

Surla underscored the comments and feedback from citizens can provide insight therefore correction and fixing problems are quickly responded especially now with the crisis brought by the coronavirus pandemic.

She also put emphasis to practice social distancing and comply with the Construction Safety Guidelines for the Implementation of Infrastructure Projects During the COVID-19 Public Health Crisis set by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The DA-PRDP believes that CMT is a way to increase awareness and to empower citizens in achieving improved development results. (MA. REINA LEN G. LUNA, RPCO3 InfoACE)