Driven by the desire to stand on their own feet, 800 members of the Bohol Concerned Citizens Action for Progress Inc. (BCCAP) are now looking forward to better harvest days and income after the Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) paved way for the realization of the construction of Greenhouse and Vermicompost pit supporting the Vegetable Production and Marketing Enterprise.

The greenhouse will stand as the temporary marketing base for veggie segregation, vermicomposting and water system in Sikatuna where ‘pechay’ and lettuce will be grown. Other demo farms will also be established in Sevilla and Loboc where bitter gourd and eggplants will be seeded.

According to Annabelle Paler, BCCAP Chairwoman, the PRDP aid will not only help its members but also encourage and influence farming families to engage in wider farming activities.

“Ang BCCAP maoy mupalit sa mga pananom, ug mubaligya niini ngadto sa supermarkets, hotels and resorts sama sa Panglao, mu-income jud ang farmer,” said Paler.

(“BCCAP will purchase all of the vegetables sown by farmers and will supply them to established supermarkets in Tagbilaran City, hotels and resorts in Panglao giving them income.”)

Paler added that whatever income the organization generates in the future, 10% of which goes back to every individual member as net income.

Once everything runs smoothly, the organization will then push BCCAP farm as an eco-tourism field which is in sync with the plan of the municipal government of Sikatuna as added farm earning.

PRDP EXPERIENCE

Undergoing PRDP’s procurement process was highlighted by the group as their most important learning in the implementation phase of the project.

Paler noted, that as they learned to religiously follow the process, they have appreciated the very reason for its existence as it commands responsibility, transparency, and proper management of funds.

“Nagpasalamat jud mi ug dako, kay nakita namo ang ka maayo sa proseso ubos sa PRDP, nga naglantaw sa kalambuan sa grupo,” said Paler.

(“We are greatly thankful, of having to experience firsthand how good the PRDP project is who only looks at the betterment of the group.”)