by Joan Dapidap, RPCO1 InfoACE

The Philippine Rural Development Project Scale-Up (PRDP Scale-Up) is set to strengthen the agri-fishery industry in the Ilocos Region with subprojects valued at Php3.4 billion.

Since the launching of PRDP Scale-Up in 2023, a total of 24 subproject proposals were rigorously developed for funding approval. The province of Pangasinan leads with 15 proposals, followed by La Union with four, Ilocos Norte with three, and Ilocos Sur with two. 

The status of these billion-peso proposals was presented on Tuesday at a meeting attended by all PRDP Regional Project Coordination Office 1 (PRDP RPCO1) staff, including both hired consultants and organic members.

Currently, three are already underway: the construction of the San Jose Multi-Purpose Warehouse with Solar Dryer in Vintar, Ilocos Norte; the construction of the Provincial Warehouse with Multi-Purpose Drying Pavement in Bugallon, Pangasinan; and the construction of the Provincial Warehouse with Multi-Purpose Drying Pavement in Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan.

The number of implemented subprojects is expected to increase significantly in 2025, following the approval of five proposals by the Regional Project Advisory Board last year. Additionally, four subprojects are currently in the procurement stage, while ten others are actively undergoing subproject preparation.

Furthermore, two subprojects are in progress. One is awaiting the issuance of a No Objection Letter 2, a crucial step before implementation. The other is undergoing material sampling and quality control to ensure adherence to required specifications and standards.

Meanwhile, the PRDP RPCO1 is committed to completing three remaining subprojects funded under the previous financing scheme, Additional Financing 2, by the end of this year.