To evaluate the next batches of Infrastructure Development (I-BUILD) subprojects for presentation to the Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB), the Regional Project Coordination Office 3 (RPCO3), together with the Luzon A Project Support Office (PSO), conducted a Joint Technical Review of I-BUILD Subprojects for 2016 last July 28-31, in Clark, Pampanga. Officials from the provincial local government units (PLGUs) and Provincial Project Management and Implementing Units (PPMIUs) of Aurora, Pampanga, and Nueva Ecija attended the technical review, which aims to prepare and check the subproject requirements needed for the issuance of RPAB approval.

RCPO3 Focal Person and Department of Agriculture Regional Technical Director Crispulo G. Bautista Jr., who attended the said event, emphasized to the PLGUs and PPMIUs the need for their subproject proposals to be in accordance with the guidelines set by the World Bank for the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP). “Every I-BUILD subproject requirements, such as the feasibility study, detailed engineering design, and program of work, should be prepared within the guidelines of every unit and component of PRDP,” said Director Bautista. “That is why we gathered the PLGUs and PPMIUs, and the experts from the I-BUILD component, to prepare the packaging of their proposal for RPAB presentation in August.”

After the technical review and workshop, the PPMIUs of Aurora, Pampanga and Nueva Ecija presented the executive summary and detailed engineering design of their respective proposed Farm-to-Market Roads for 2016, which amounted to an estimated project cost of P257,554,154.97 and total length of 24.83 kilometers and 60.80 linears meter bridge. The RPAB presentation of the said FMR subprojects is scheduled in August. (Mark Erron H. San Mateo, InfoACE-RPCO3)