One of the established tools and innovations of the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) is the Citizens Monitoring Tool (CMT). Thus, the PRDP Monitoring and Learning (MEL) unit in Bicol and its counterpart in Project Support Office (PSO) South Luzon conducted CMT Assessment for the on-going I-BUILD subproject Construction/Improvement of Bulawan Jr. to Bangon Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) on April 25-26, 2024 in Lupi, Camarines Sur.

Beneficiaries and Barangay Implementation Team (BIT) from Barangay Bulawan Jr., and Bangon attended the assessment. The Municipal Local Government Unit headed by Mayor Lilian Matamorosa and Vice Mayor Noel Agravante were also present in the activity.

In her message, Mayor Matamorosa encouraged the beneficiaries to regularly monitor the FMR project and to voice-out their observations regarding the on-going construction.

“Maraming mga kababayan, ka-barangay natin ang naging parte para lang maging katulong natin sa pag-monitor at sa pagpapagawa, sapagkat tayo ang magiging end user ng proyektong ito kung kaya’t tayo rin ang mangangalaga at mangangasiwa nito”, she said.

Before going to the project site, the MEL team reminded the beneficiaries regarding the importance of conducting CMT Assessment.

“Kayo ay na trained kung paano ang tamang pagmomonitor ng subproject. Kayo din ay tinuruan ng karapatan ninyo dun sa subproject, karapatang mag-boses kung ano man yung mga na o-observe na sa palagay niyo ay makakaapekto sa standard or quality ng subproject”, Michelle Jan B. Sapalaran, PRDP Bicol MEL Officer said.

She also added that the assessment allows the evaluation of the functionality of the formed committees such as BIT, which are vital for monitoring the subproject. This activity promotes a participatory approach and transparency by involving various stakeholders, especially the community as the beneficiaries.

The beneficiaries visited the site to closely monitor the FMR project. They consolidated the findings during the site inspection with the assistance of the PSO and RPCO MEL team. In addition, the team discussed the Operation and Maintenance (O&M), and Action Planning and Strategizing to ensure the sustainability of the project.

Vice Mayor Agravante is grateful for the support from the beneficiaries particularly in monitoring the project activities.

“Sabay-sabay po tayo sa mithiin na mapangalagaan po ang kalsadang yan na siya po ang magbibigay ng kaginhawaan sa ating buhay sa lahat ng aspeto at matagal po nating mapapakinabangan ang proyektong yan”, he said.

To ensure that the beneficiaries are committed to monitor the project, the MEL team created a commitment wall that symbolizes stakeholders’ support demonstrating their commitment as partners in ensuring that the subproject is implemented according to the PRDP standards and timelines.

The Construction/Improvement of Bulawan Jr. to Bangon Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) is a 4.70-kilometer road with coconut as the main commodity within the road influence area (RIA). ### (Shaira Enimedez, PRDP RPCO InfoAce Unit)

The beneficiaries of the subproject Construction/Improvement of Bulawan Jr. to Bangon Farm-to-Market Road (FMR)signed the CMT Commitment Board as proof demonstrating their commitment as partners in ensuring that the subproject is implemented according to the PRDP standards

The RPCO 5 team and PSO South Luzon, together with the beneficiaries of the subproject Construction/Improvement of Bulawan Jr. to Bangon Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) inspected the site and wrote down their observations using the CMT.