The strong support of the Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) of Davao del Norte led to the successful implementation of three big subprojects of DA-PRDP worth P337.5 million.

It was a triple celebration after two infrastructure subprojects under the I-BUILD component and one enterprise subproject under the IREAP component were officially turned over by the Department of Agriculture Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) with the PLGU Davao del Norte to the Municipalities of New Corella, Municipality of Kapalong, and Rehoboth Agriculture Cooperative (RACO) in Panabo City on June 29, 2022.

The implementation of these subprojects was faced with many challenges and even tested by time but the commitment and support of the province paved the way to its completion.

Its success is a proof that if there is really a will, there’s a way, as the Province of Davao del Norte under the leadership of Governor Edwin Jubahib went the extra mile to resolve the many issues that occurred on the ground level to push for the materialization of these subprojects.

The first subproject turned over was the 15.354 kilometer “Rehabilitation of Poblacion – Limbaan -Suawon – Macgum FMR with Bridge” worth P209 million with 2 bridges.

Davao del Norte Provincial Governor Edwin Jubahib personally assisted the Project in settling the road right of way. He also thanked all the affected land owners who gave their support and agreed to settle the issue in order for the subprojects’ completion. He hoped that the subprojects would be taken care of as they also provided the barangays with tools and equipment for road maintenance.

“It is not easy to find funds to implement this project so I hope that recipient barangays will really take care of this subproject,” Jubahib said. “This road should not just only last for five years, but more since it follows the quality and standard set by the Project.”

This subproject started way back in April 2016 under DA-PRDP’s original loan. It took six years before it was officially turned over to the MLGU New Corella but it was worth the wait according to Barangay Captain of Suawon Ricky L. Alcular during his acceptance message representing the four recipient barangays.

In his message, DA-PRDP PSO Mindanao Project Director and DA Regional Executive Director XI Abel James I. Monteagudo, congratulated the PLGU Davao del Norte for their support and hands-on monitoring starting from day one until its completion.

“Congratulations to our subproject recipients in Barangay Poblacion, Brgy. Limba-an, Brgy. Macgum, and Brgy. Suawon. Special thanks to the Province of Davao del Norte for your strong partnership with DA-PRDP. This success is a result of all our collaborative efforts and hard work,” said Dir. Monteagudo.

Aside from the FMR with Bridge in New Corella, they also turned over the “Rehabilitation of Capungagan -Boundary San Miguel Farm Market Road” subproject in the Municipality of Kapalong.

The 10.6-kilometer farm-to-market road now provides access to barangay roads going to Florida, Mabantao in the Municipality of Kapalong and Linao, Sawata in the Municipality of San Isidro and New Loon in the Municipality of Asuncion.

This subproject worth P108 million is supportive to the value chain of existing commodities in the area such as cacao, cardava, and coconut. It addresses the lack of access road from the farm to market, long travel time, and high rate of post-harvest losses.

One enterprise subproject under IREAP was also inaugurated – the “Chocolate Processing” enterprise subproject in Panabo City.

This promising subproject aim to boost the cacao industry not just in Panabo City but entire Davao del Norte.

The Rehoboth Agriculture Cooperative (RACO) is looking forward to producing more 100% dark chocolate after the enterprise subproject under I-REAP was officially handed to them.

PSO Mindanao Project Director Abel James Monteagudo said in his message that this enterprise subproject of RACO is a well of blessings to cacao farmers in the province.

The enterprise subproject provided them with supplies and material, processing equipment and machineries, mini van and one unit chocolate processing building situated in Barangay San Francisco Arguelles St., Panabo City, Dvao del Norte.

Through this support, they can now upscale their existing chocolate production by the use of the said facilities and equipment since they can meet the quality and standard set by their buyers. RACO also envisioned going to bigger market, not just locally but the international market as well.

Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib represented by Provincial Administrator Engr. Josie Jean Rabanoz challenge Rehoboth to really sustain this project in order to uplift the lives of cacao farmers in the province as well as expand the production of the cooperative to bigger market and boost the cacao industry in the province.

This subproject worth P20 million will support the 150 beneficiaries by increasing their income and ensuring that the co-op has a sure market of their chocolate products.

DA-PRDP is a World Bank assisted national project under the Department of Agriculture (DA) that aims to establish modern, inclusive, value chain-oriented and climate –smart agriculture and fisheries sector.

In partnership with the local government units (LGUs) and the private sector, the Project provides key infrastructure, facilities, technology and information to raise incomes, productivity and competitiveness in targeted areas.

This strong partnership of DA-PRDP and LGU strengthening the good governance, transparency and accountability mechanism at all stages of the project cycle. (Joy M. Montecalvo PSO Mindanao)