Subic, ZAMBALES – Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project Project Support Office (DA-PRDP PSO) North Luzon Cluster conducted its 3rd quarter assessment and  meeting on the upcoming 13th World Bank Implementation Support Mission (WBISM) via face-to-face and virtual setup on November 3, at Subic Bay Travelers Hotel and Event Center, here.

The quarter assessment aimed to present updates on overall performance and targets of the Luzon A cluster (Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and Cordillera Administrative Region), current status of on-going PRDP subprojects and second additional financing, and to dicuss the updates on the preparation for the WB Mission which is expected to be done in the coming weeks.

PRDP-PSO Project Deputy Director, Elma Mananes, gave the welcome remarks and proceeded to the presentation of the overall performance assessment of the cluster’s physical and financial accomplishments under original loan (OL) and additional financing (AF) and quarter targets.

Based on the national cumulative financial status, the Regional Project Coordination Office 2 (RPCO 2 – Cagayan Valley) landed on top as it ranked first to disburse the original loan amount of Php1,343,353,193.66, reaching 99% and ranked second on additional financing, coming 96% and obligated some Php470,601,388.54 under the I-BUILD component. On one hand, RPCO 1 (Ilocos Region) ranked first to release Php114,171,005.19 from the total obligation of Php115, 522,539.58 under the I-REAP component.

Mananes also took the time to remind everyone of the timeline for the OL and AF1 & AF2 wherein she broke down each component’s obligated subprojects that must be disbursed until the scheduled time to avoid getting lapsed.

Moreover, she lauded the cluster for continually making efforts amidst the pandemic to do what needs to be done for the Project.

“Despite the struggles, issues and concerns that we encounter due to the ongoing pandemic, we still managed to perform well and deliver what were expected to us. So thank you for the efforts to reach these accomplishment,” she said.

Afterwards, William Valdez, I-PLAN head, shared the updates for I-PLAN component. It was then followed by the presentation of actual disbursement target and updates on the status of all I-BUILD and I-PLAN components which were delivered by the each RPCOs.

Lastly, the DPD Mananes led the discsussion on some updates in preparation for the approaching WBISM, a semestral event being held nationwide to assess the progress towards achievement of the project development objectives. According to her, the final date is yet to be confirmed.

By: Ericson Guiao, InfoACE