PLACER, MASBATE – “Efficiency in project implementation does not only mean saving money but achieving quality.” This is the crowning legacy of the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) to Placer, Masbate said Rudy Villanueva, the Municipal Project Management Implementation Unit (MPMIU) Head.

The 9.50-kilometer Concreting of Aguada-Locso-an Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) is a testament of this legacy in the Municipality of Placer. According to Villanueva, their local government sees this subproject as a key to develop its coconut and goat raising industries as targeted in the Provincial Commodity Investment Plan (PCIP). Placer has the largest area covered for coconut in the province accounting for about 12,437 hectares of the province’s total coconut area.

“Sa na-experience namin with PRDP, talagang tinututukan yung proyekto na if the implementation is not efficient, probably makaka-save ka but nakikita mo naman doon sa trainings that we’ve been through, starting from the procurement process to the subproject implementation, monitoring and evaluation talagang kami from the LGU talagang kina-capacitate kami to make change (In our experience with PRDP, we have noted how projects are closely monitored. If the implementation is not efficient, you’ll probably save some costs. But we have learned through our training sessions, starting from the procurement process to the subproject implementation, monitoring and evaluation we, the LGU, are truly capacitated to make meaningful change),” Villanueva said.

He also appreciated the difference brought by the PRDP to the LGU’s prcocesses. They now scrutinize the subproject from validation, social environmental safeguards compliance, to securing road right of ways unlike in their traditional mechanics of project implementation. For him, this results in a smoother and more effective strategy which they now apply to other projects in Placer.

On the other hand, coconut farmer Rodolfo Sevilleno who tills a four-hectare land planted with coconut, mango, corn and vegetables in Brgy. Burabod, one of the five barangays in the road influence area of the FMR, expressed his joy as he sees the government fulfills its promise through the FMR. He admitted that bringing his produce to the market is a back-breaking struggle because of the poor road condition. Nonetheless, he perseveres.

“Masayang masaya kami ngayon at magkakaroon na din ng kalsada dito. Malaking ginhawa ang maibibigay nito sa amin. Dati panay plano lang ang ginagawa ng gobyerno, ngayong nasimulan na umaasa kaming tuloy-tuloy na (The road project is a big relief for us. We are happy the government fulfills its plans now that the construction has started),” smilingly, he added.

The Concreting of Aguada-Locso-an FMR, one of the two ongoing PRDP I-BUILD subprojects in Masbate, is designed to provide convenient road access and minimize farmers’ output hauling cost from P75 to P40 per sack. The I-BUILD subproject is also expected to benefit 5,846 individuals or 1,087 households. ### (Annielyn L. Baleza, DA-RAFIS V)

Rural Infrastructure Engineer Rodolfo Mirasol (2nd from left) presides the exit meeting re: the progress of the Concreting of Aguada-Locso-an Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) in Placer, Masbate. (Photo by Eduardo Collantes Jr.)

The Concreting of Aguada-Locso-an Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) will benefit 5,846 individuals or 1,087 households including coconut farmer Rodolfo Sevilleno of Brgy. Burabod Placer, Masbate. (Photo by Eduardo Collantes Jr.)

The 9.50-kilometer Concreting of Aguada-Locso-an Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) will develop the coconut and goat raising industries along the project influence area. (Photo by Eduardo Collantes Jr.)