PRDP shifts to virtual coaching, mentoring to assist project partners

Date Published: September 11, 2020

The Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) in Bicol has shifted to virtual coaching and mentoring to strengthen its collaboration with its project partners in areas affected by travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 health crisis. 

To facilitate the Project’s procurement, disbursement, and operations, PRDP-Bicol staff used to conduct frequent communications and meetings as well as site visits to achieve initial outcomes and project results on the ground based on agreed targets and timeline. However, with the quarantine protocols being enforced regionwide, the Management opted to optimize the use of electronic platforms to maintain smooth project implementation. 

On July 13, 2020, the PRDP enterprise development (I-REAP) component conducted a virtual coaching and mentoring with the Municipal Project Management Implementation Unit (MPMIU) of Aroroy, Masbate and the LUBACON Agro Scale Miners and Gold Processors Multipurpose Cooperative to assist them in fast-tracking the procurement and delivery of project interventions for the municipality as they navigate through the COVID-19 crisis. The said municipality has an ongoing infrastructure development (I-BUILD) subproject worth P242.56 million–the Concreting of San Agustin-Tigbao Farm-to-Market Road (FMR), now with 95 percent physical progress which is projected to benefit 1,836 farmers and fisherfolk households. Its enterprise development (I-REAP) subproject, the Lubacon Coco Charcoal Production and Marketing Enterprise, is now 93 percent completed.  

“PRDP is committed to provide regular coaching and mentoring. However, with the current travel restrictions due to the pandemic, we optimize online coaching and mentoring. Although this platform is sometimes limited by poor signal and slow internet connection, we are happy that our project partners are very cooperative. This gives us the assurance that the PRDP funds will go to high quality subprojects that would benefit our targeted communities,” Adelina A. Losa, PRDP-Bicol Deputy Project Director, said. 

Arnel Morado, Chairman of LUBACON Agro Scale Miners and Gold Processors MP Cooperative, the proponent group for the Lubacon Coco Charcoal Production and Marketing Enterprise, said that the virtual coaching and mentoring was a brilliant idea because it saves the time spent by PRDP consultants in travelling as well as government resources as they deliver similar quality of services and technical assistance to project partners. 

Municipal Agriculturist and MPMIU Head Engr. Arvin Ostia thanks the PRDP-Bicol for finding ways to assist them despite limitations because of the COVID-19 health crisis.

“One hundred percent na ang pagsaludo ko sa RPCO. Salamat at palagi nilang nagagawan ng paraan na maipakita ang suporta nila sa amin para masigurong maayos ang pagpapatupad ng mga proyekto ng PRDP dito sa aming bayan,” he added. (Annielyn L. Baleza, DA-RAFIS V)

Municipal Agriculturist and MPMIU Head Engr. Arvin C. Ostia and LUBACON Agro Scale Miners and Gold Processors MP Cooperative Chairman Arnel Morado attend the Virtual Coaching and Mentoring conducted by the PRDP RPCO V on July 13, 2020.

RDP RPCO V Deputy Project Director and I-REAP Component Head Adelina A. Losa presides the Virtual Coaching and Mentoring with the MPMIU Aroroy and the LUBACON Agro Scale Miners and Gold Processors MP Cooperative on July 13, 2020.

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