Among the subprojects visited were Farm Machinery Services to Nagbayan FFS Farmers Association in Castillejos, Farm Machinery Services and Establishment of Beef Cattle Breeder Farm both granted to San Marcelino Corn Producers Cooperatives in San Marcelino.

According to Engr. Santiago, the purpose of the site visit aims to gauge the impact of the PRDP subprojects in elevating the economic growth of farmer-beneficiaries and how it improved their lives through quality services.

“We have always heard about the subprojects of PRDP in the Regional Development Council (RDC) that’s why we come here to visit and to see for ourselves the success of the projects,” she added.

Meanwhile, PRDP RPCO 3 Action Officer Gil G. David together with Monitoring and Evaluation Unit Head June H. Lacasandile facilitated a brief presentation of the completed subprojects followed by a forum between the proponent groups and the NEDA to address particular questions and queries.

In 2015, it can be recalled that PRDP has intervened for the victims of tyhoon Lando by providing Small Livelihood Projects (SLPs) for cooperatives in Region 3 and among the affected areas identified by the Provincial Government of Zambales included the municipalities of Castillejos and San Marcelino.

The PRDP funded subprojects implemented under the I-REAP Component has relieved the condition of farmer-beneficiaries to recover their damaged crops and incurred losses.

On the same day, the NEDA delegates together with the PRDP officers and staff paid a courtesy visit to Governor Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr.

Also assisted during the site visit are Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) Chief Engr. Edwin Ebdane, Provincial Agriculturist Russel Quitaneg, RPCO 3 Geomapping and Governance Unit (GGU) Officer Maurice Pineda, RPCO 3 I-BUILD Rural Infrastructure Engineer Romel G. Tiangco and RPCO 3 I-REAP Business Development Officer Glory Ann Herrera. (Ma. Reina Len Luna, RPCO3 InfoACE)