“Many people would say that I do not believe in Government, but that changed when I heard about the DA-Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP). Under the Project, there is no palakasan system, you need not know someone in high position to help you with the approval of your proposal. If you are a qualified recipient and your group really needs government intervention, assistance will be given to you. Thank you for giving us an opportunity to improve  our local onion industry.“

This was the testimony of Primo Natividad, Chairperson of the  Pulong Buli Multi Purpose Cooperative Inc.  (PBMPC). Members of Pulong Buli MPC and St. Dominic Farmers Cooperative are the direct beneficiaries of the Santo Domingo Onion Enterprise Consolidation  and Marketing subproject undertaken via the PRDP.

Under the subproject, the associations were awarded an onion hanger facility established in Brgy. Malaya Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija. The two-storey facility, which measures 7,800 square meter, is being used for storing, consolidating, sorting and bagging of onions and other vegetables. It is also being used as trading center of various commodities such as squash, eggplant and string beans and other “pinakbet  vegetables”.

As this provides additional income to members of the cooperative, beneficiaries promise to maintain and take care of the facility so it will last longer

“With this program, we will continue to reinforce the onion industry,” Ka Primo said. (Kathrino V. Resurreccion, DA-PRDP NPCO InfoACE Unit)