Enthusiastic and interactive best describe the LGUs from the provinces of Masbate, Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte during the conduct of the Joint Project Support Office (PSO) and Regional Project Coordination Office (RPCO) Re-orientation on Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP).

The Bicol Regional PRDP staff were mindless of the long distance they have to travel in order to provide the LGUs with detailed and updated information about the project, to guarantee a smooth flow of the PRDP process for a successful implementation of the proposed sub-projects.

Representatives from I-PLAN, I-BUILD, I-REAP and I-SUPPORT extensively discussed the process of each component and answered the questions and clarifications given by the participants.

Assistant Provincial Administrator of Masbate City, Mr. Mark Antonio, said, “Maayo ini na bagay na maorient man kita sani na project, importante na mag-aram man kita san mga proseso sani” (It’s a good thing that we are oriented about this project, because it is important that we are also aware of its process).

Participants from the Province of Camarines Sur during the PRDP Re-Orientation held at the Regal Plaza Hotel, Nabua, Camarines Sur. (Photo by Hermito Privaldos, DA-PRDP RPCO V InfoACE Unit)

Most of the elected officials of the provinces are new in their position that’s why they are really happy and interested to participate in the orientation conducted by the RPCO as it will be beneficial to them and their constituents.

The menus of projects per component presented help them identify the possible projects that their province can propose. With high hopes they believe that PRDP will be able to help them improve and increase the value of their commodities and the income of their farmers and fishermen as well.

Dito sa PRDP, kompetisyon ito ng pagalingan at pabilisan ng mga sub-projects proposals, iisa lang ang pinagkukunan ng pondo, hindi sya allocated sa mga lugar… So kung sino ang magaling gumawa ng feasibility study at business plan siya ang pwedeng mabigyan ng project, (Here in PRDP, it is a competition of the highest and the fastest sub-project proposals… we only have one source of funding and there is no allocation of fund in a certain area.. whoever is good in making the feasibility studies and the business plan gets the project) said Adelina Losa, I-REAP Component Head.

Vice Mayor of Vinzons, Camarines Norte, Hon. Ligaya Heraldo, asked few questions on PRDP subprojects and its requirements on how to avail the menu of projects presented by the different PRDP components. (Photo by Michelle Angela G. Alfigura, DA-PRDP RPCO V InfoACE Unit)

Due to the destruction brought about by typhoons Yolanda, Lando and Nona, the PRDP management had decided to finance micro-enterprise proposals from typhoon affected areas and bring this down to Municipal level to provide greater opportunities for the rural folks.

A Municipality can now propose a project directly to DA but still they will have to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).

The Investments in Rural Enterprise and Agriculture and Fisheries Productivity or the I-REAP component of the PRDP encourages the LGUs to submit their proposals on enterprise development for there is still a huge fund to be utilized.

The PRDP commits to a 5% annual increase in real farm and fishery income, raise the value of the annual marketed output by 7%, and boost the number of farmers’ and fishers’ with improve d access to DA services by 20%.

PRDP is a six-year project designed to establish an inclusive and market-oriented agri-fishery sector through strategic investments in priority commodity value chain in cooperation with the LGU’s and private sector in providing key infrastructure, facilities, technology, and information that will raise incomes, productivity, and competitiveness. (Michelle Angela G. Alfigura , DA-PRDP RPCO V InfoACE Unit)