Nine micro-enterprises with a total cost of P11.94M from the Province of Oriental Mindoro are the newest sub-projects to receive approval from the MIMAROPA Regional Project Advisory Board.

The “Ricemill Rehabilitation & Upgrading Project” worth P1.64M was the first project to receive endorsement for the issuance of no objection letter (NOL). It was proposed by the Matuod-tuod Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative from Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro. Another one from the same municipality is the “Veggie Canton Noodles and Veggie Snacks Production and Marketing Enterprises” proposed by the Samahan ng Lingap Pamilyang Pinamalenyo with a budget of P1.10M.

“Ang amin pong layunin ay magkaroon ng trabaho ang aming mga miyembro, lalo ang mga marginalized, at tumaas po ang kanilang kita para mapabuti po ang kanilang pamumuhay,” said Mikuo Andres, Secretary of the Calima Socio-Economic Multi-Purpose Cooperative from Pola, who presented the “Turmeric/Ginger Tea Processing” with an amount of P1.13M.

Likewise, the board will endorse the “Improvement of Community Factory for Nipa Vinegar and Nipa Palm Sugar in Calapan City” worth P1.58M of the Samahan ng mga Taong Nagtataguyod ng Produktong Natural; “Bansud Carabao Milking Support Microenterprises” worth P1.58M of the Bansud Goat Raisers and Other Ruminant Association; and “Mansalay King Crab Production” with a recommended budget of P1M of the Star Lily Association.

From the municipalities of Naujan, Victoria, and Bongabong, the approved projects respectively include the “Oriental Mindoro Nata de Coco Production and Marketing” worth P1.57M of the Mahabang Parang Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association; “Provision of Custom 4-Wheel Farm Tractor with Accessories” worth P1.13M of the Mabini Farm Family Multi-Purpose Cooperative; and “Milkfish Production” worth P1.21M of the Farmers Organization for the Rural Upliftment of Mindoro.

The goal of micro-enterprises to be implemented under the enterprise development (I-REAP) component is to help farmers and fisherfolk who are in need of assistance in restoring their livelihoods after being affected by the recent calamities.

“Our intention here is to provide services to the members [of the community],” said Department of Agriculture MIMAROPA Regional Executive Director Atty. Cipriano Santiago.

Santiago, who presided over the business meeting, also encouraged the concerned groups to fast-track the required revisions of the approved proposals according to the recommendations of the board. Once completed, the projects will be endorsed to the South Luzon Project Support Office for further assessment and approval.

Also present during the review were representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Interior and Local Government, Regional Agricultural and Fisheries Council, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources. ### (Leira Vic Colongon, DA-PRDP RPCO 4B InfoACE Unit)

The MIMAROPA Regional Project Advisory Board led by Department of Agriculture MIMAROPA Regional Executive Director Atty. Cipriano Santiago (center, in yellow) takes a photo with some of the attendees of the business meeting. (Photo by Elmo Morillo, DA-PRDP RPCO 4B InfoACE Unit)