A glimmer of hope shines for the Local Government Units (LGU) of Caraga after the Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB) approved the endorsement of the six additional subprojects for the prioritization run under the DA-Philippine Rural Development Project Additional Financing (DA-PRDP-AF) yesterday, May 27.

After the presentation of documents proving that the projects were suitable and essential in the area, the LGUs of Tago, San Agustin, and Cantilan Surigao del Sur, Bayugan City, and Placer, Surigao del Norte, received a resounding YES from the RPAB members in Caraga Region.

Members of the RPAB, namely: the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), deliberately clarified the intentions and importance of the proposals to the community.

Chaired by the DA Regional Executive Director Abel James I. Monteagudo, the RPAB signed the resolutions for the Intensified Building-Up of Infrastructure and Logistics for Development (I-BUILD) or Infrastructure sub-projects for endorsement to the National Project Coordination Office for possible funding under AF.

The 6 Subprojects include:

1. Tago, SDS – Kinabigtasan-Lindoy FMR with concrete bridge amounting to P184M. This would benefit 9,142 residents including 308 IPs who farm rice, coconut, corn, soybeans, and abaca.

2. San Agustin, SDS – Construction of Buhisan-Manumnum FMR amounting to P84M will be the lone road in the area of Buatong and Buhisan. Around 3,226 residents who primarily farm rice, lanzones, abaca, banana, and root crops would generally benefit from this project.

3. Bayugan City, ADS – Concreting of Mahapag-Bucac-Marcelina FMR having a 4.79km distance worth P60M that will cover 2,712 ha influence area.

4. Placer – Establishment of the 30 Ton Ice plant with Ice Storage Facility amounting to P58.4M to support their Tuna Industry.

5. Cantilan, SDS – Construction of the three units Watch Tower costing P17M. It hopes to benefit 1,380 fisherfolks.

6. Cantilan, SDS –  Potable Water System (PWS) in Tigabong. The water system amounts to P9M and would benefit 243 households that are predominantly coconut farmers. (InfoACE, RPCO 13)