by Elvy T. Estacio, RPCOCAR InfoACE

The Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) Scale-Up marked a significant milestone in advancing rural development in the Cordillera region, closing 2024 with the approval of five infrastructure subprojects worth Php973 million.

Of these, four subprojects are located in the province of Ifugao, while one in Mountain Province, with the municipal local government of Sabangan as the proponent. 

These subprojects were greenlit by the Cordillera Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB) during meetings held in December 2024. Among the approved subprojects, one has already received a No Objection Letter (NOL) 1, signaling the commencement of procurement activities, while the rest are undergoing further review by the DA-PRDP’s national and cluster offices. 

Complementing these newly approved subprojects, the region is currently implementing four ongoing infrastructure subprojects worth Php790 million across the provinces of Ifugao, Kalinga, and Apayao. Additionally, another farm-to-market road (FMR) subproject in Kalinga is in the final stage of procurement and will commence implementation upon the issuance of NOL 2. These FMRs are expected to significantly improve market access and boost economic opportunities for local communities.

With the newly approved subprojects, the Cordillera now boasts a total of 10 infrastructure subprojects under the DA-PRDP Scale-Up, amounting to an investment of Php1.97 billion.

This milestone highlights the DA-PRDP Scale-Up’s commitment to strengthening rural infrastructure in the Cordillera, promoting inclusive growth through improved connectivity and productivity.

In her remarks during the December RPAB meeting, DA-RFO CAR Regional Executive Director and RPCO CAR Project Director Atty. Jennilyn M. Dawayan commended the dedication of local government units, RPAB members, and the technical staff of the DA-PRDP. She emphasized their collective efforts in advancing local community development through infrastructure.

As these subprojects move forward in implementation, the DA-PRDP Scale-Up continues to ensure that strategic investments translate into sustainable growth and improved livelihoods for Cordillera communities. ###