The DA-PRDP Central Luzon and the Provincial Government of Tarlac handed over four I-REAP subprojects with a total worth of a total of P66 million to different cooperatives in the municipalities of Sta. Ignacia, Paniqui, Gerona, and La Paz on May 24, 2022.
 
The turn over ceremonies for each subproject was attended by representatives from the DA-PRDP Regional Project Coordinating Office 3 (RPCO 3) led by Action Officer Maricel Dullas, the Provincial Government of Tarlac headed by Governor Susan Yap, Provincial Project Monitoring and Implementation Unit (PPMIU) head, EnP. Frances Canlas, respective municipal government officials and staff, and the respective officers and members of the cooperative beneficiaries.
 
“The DA-PRDP RPCO 3 is very grateful for the partnership and cooperation of the provincial government of Tarlac, through the leadership of Gov. Susan Yap, in the implementation of the subprojects of PRDP in the province”, Ms. Dullas said. She also noted that Tarlac has one of the greatest number of subprojects under the funding of DA-PRDP in Central Luzon.
 
As stated by the DA Secretary William Dar in the kick off program of the ongoing 14th World Bank Implementation Support Mission, Tarlac Provincial Agriculturist Alicia Cruz echoed that the PRDP is the model project for all the other regular and special projects of the department due to its notable accomplishment even amidst the pandemic.
 
The subprojects turned over on this day are entitled “Establishment of Multiplier Farm for Cattle for Production of Manufacturing Grade and Premium Quality Beef” to the San Sotero Primary Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Brgy. San Sotero, Sta. Ignacia, the “Establishment of Common Service Facilities (Post-Harvest and Marketing Operations) for Aromatic and Pigmented Rice” to the Raniag Primary Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Brgy. Nipaco, Paniqui, the “Establishment of Nucleus Farm for the Production of Breeder Bucks and Does for Meat and Dairy Type Goats” to the Abagon Compact Farm and Seed Growers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (ACFASGRO-MPC) in Brgy. Abagon, Gerona, and the “Establishment of Mungbean Trading Post with Custom Service Facilities” to the Caut Farmers Field School Marketing Cooperative (Caut FFSMC) in Brgy. Caut, La Paz.
 
Members of the cooperative beneficiaries were ecstatic now that the subprojects are officially handed over to their care which gave them more inspiration to work hard and to challenge themselves in obtaining their goals for the given enterprise. “Lubos-lubos ang aming pasasalamat sa PRDP dahil napakalaking biyaya na naibigay sa aming coop ito at kami ay nagkaroon ng isang building [office] para sa kooperatiba at yung truck na binigay din sa amin; ngayon ay pinakikinabangan namin. (We are very thankful to the PRDP because of the great blessing that was given to our coop now that we have a building for our cooperative, as well with the truck, which is very useful to us.)”, Mr. Teotimo Santiago, manager of the Caut FFSMC said.
 
On the other hand, Gov. Yap encouraged the beneficiaries to not only maintain their facilities but to enhance them for she is eyeing these subprojects to be the centers of Agri-tourism in their respective areas to further boost their livelihood.
 
At the end of the long and productive day of activities, Governor Yap thanked the DA-PRDP for helping these four cooperatives with over 500 farmer members engaged in different kinds of agricultural practices. (Ram Bill Bautista, RPCO3 InfoACE)