Hauling trucks for DA-PRDP-funded enterprise projects now also used for LGU relief operations
Hauling trucks acquired from the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) by farmers associations for various enterprise subprojects are now also used to support the relief operations of the Local Government Units (LGUs) amidst the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
According to Lorna E. Panyo, Business Development Officer, the Proponent Groups (PGs) have voluntarily allowed the use of the vehicles for the relief operations of the LGUs.
“LGUs have limited transport utilities to reach all their constituents who are affected by the ECQ lockdown and quarantine situations in the municipalities. To help the LGUs, the PGs initiated the use of their vehicles in delivering and distributing goods to the people in the barangays,” she said.
The Besao Multipurpose Cooperative (BMPC), the lead PG for the Mountain Province Arabica Coffee Enterprise (MPACE) is currently using their vehicle to transport food and other basic necessities to households especially those residing in the far-flung areas.
Likewise, the vehicle for the enterprise subproject on Potato Tuber Production in Bauko, Mountain Province is also being used by the LGU in hauling rice from the National Food Authority (NFA) in Bontoc to their municipality.
“The turnover ceremony of the enterprise subproject including the vehicle was cancelled due to the ECQ. Meanwhile, we are using the truck to haul rice from NFA to be distributed to the different barangays of Bauko,” said Clarence Golocan of LGU Bauko.
He added that the vehicle was also used recently to transport medicinal supplies and other goods from Baguio City to Bauko.
With the extended ECQ until April 30, 2020, Panyo said that the LGUs will be maximizing the use of these vehicles for their relief operations.
“While the enterprise operations of the PGs are on hold, they are allowing the use of their vehicles and facilities by the LGUs to support and facilitate their relief operations to needy constituents,” she explained. ### ELVY S. TAQUIO (RPCO-CAR InfoACE Unit)
