The Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) North Luzon cluster recognized the major accomplishments of its regional, provincial and municipal partners through an awarding ceremony spearheaded by the Project Support Office (PSO) last January 31 in Subic, Zambales.

The ceremony was the highlight of the cluster’s annual general assembly, attended by heads and representatives from the Project’s provincial, regional and national offices.

Gathering close to 300 rural development workers, the activity was a venue for showcasing the efforts and best practices of top-performing LGUs in North Luzon.

Efficiency in I-BUILD implementation

Under the I-BUILD component, Cagayan was awarded as the province with the most outstanding implementation for Farm-to-Market Roads for the subproject Iraga-Bayabat FMR and Bridges, while Bataan was the most outstanding for the implementation of civil works/vertical structures for the Establishment of Ice Plant and Cold Storage Building.

The said civil works subproject was recognized most efficient in completing its procurement process.

Both provinces were also the recipients of the Best in Social and Environmental Safeguards (SES) compliance awards.

In addition, Bataan received an award as most efficient province with excellent progress billing for 2018.

For the bridges category, Pangasinan was awarded for the subproject Construction of Oraan Bridge with Approaches.

The provinces of Isabela and Kalinga received awards for having the highest number and cost of approved I-BUILD subprojects, respectively. Cordillera Administrative Region was given the same award for the regional level.

Kalinga is also the recipient of the most efficient LGU award in completing the procurement process under I-BUILD for the subproject Improvement of Bado Dangwa- Gullayon FMR.

Central Luzon and Quirino bagged awards for being the most efficient in the cluster in terms of I-BUILD physical implementation and subproject pace.

Top performers for enterprises

The Enterprise Development component of the cluster continues to flourish on a national scale, as evidenced by the growing numbers and captured emerging benefits of the cluster.

Ilocos Region and the province of Ilocos Norte were recognized for having the highest percentage of I-REAP subproject completion, while Cagayan Valley has the highest number of approved subprojects and total investment cost for 2018.

In terms of subproject approval from Enterprise Prioritization to NOL1 issuance, Cordillera and Kalinga were the recipients of the award.

For the component’s disbursement accomplishment, Central Luzon was the most efficient for the year 2018, while the provinces of the Aurora and Bataan were awarded most efficient LGUs (cumulative disbursement).

Special awards

The I-PLAN component conducted an evaluation of the Provincial Commodity Investment Plans (PCIPs) of the cluster, to which Nueva Ecija emerged as the province with the most outstanding CIP.

Ilocos Region and Cagayan Valley were both named as most efficient regions in terms of Geomapping and Governance Unit (GGU) compliances. Cagayan Valley was also the most efficient in terms of Monitoring and Evaluation, and Procurement. (Kayla Arceo, PSO North Luzon)