Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte – A joint monitoring for select DA-Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) implemented subprojects, including the Seaweeds Semi-Processing and Marketing Enterprise (SSME) subproject of Simbuco Aqua-Marine Multi-Purpose Cooperative, this town, was conducted on February 23, 2022.

Said undertaking was conducted by the Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC-10) under the Regional Development Council (RDC-10) in coordination with the Monitoring and Evaluation Team of DA.

During the discussion, Regional Technical Coordinator of RPMC-10, Engr. Rosalyn Yparraguirre emphasized that said activity will gauge the level of implementation for certain projects, covering whether its intended objectives and initial outcomes of projects are met and generated, respectively.

Particularly, the about Php 9.08-million SSME IREAP subproject was chosen as one of the projects to be validated, which was completed and turned over on December 7, last year.

Wherein, the project is expected to increase volume of production of dried raw seaweeds by more than 1% from its baseline quantity of 6 metric tons per month and increase by 25% of the annual income from Php 98,187.75 during the first year of its project implementation.

As per initial findings, the evaluation team requested DA-PRDP to assist the cooperative in upgrading the cooperative’s processing equipment for the latter to produce more seaweed ice cream and expand their market, at the same time.

Overall, the summary of findings will be forwarded to agencies’ concerned, in order to act upon recommendations, and to intensify project implementation.

Joining the activity are staff from the Provincial Agriculture’s Office of Lanao del Norte, Monitoring and Evaluation team from DA, IREAP and M & E of PRDP and RDC of Region 10.

Following such activity, the RPMC 10 will proceed to Misamis Occidental next week for the next batch of joint monitoring of subprojects implemented in said province. # (MGBS)