Board member Belinda Palilio (seated 3rd from left) expresses gratitude in behalf of the provincial government of Nueva Ecija to Central Luzon RPAB members for approving the proposed farm-to-market road and ampalaya enterprise in the province. Proposed NE FMR, ampalaya enterprise impress C. Luzon RPAB
BACOLOR, Pampanga – Central Luzon Regional Program Advisory Board (RPAB) members were impressed with the proposed farm-to-market road and ampalaya enterprise in Nueva Ecija aimed at boosting ampalaya production and rural development in San Jose City.
Approved during the 3rd RPAB meeting on August 19 at King’s Royale Hotel in this town, the said sub-projects will be established in San Jose City which had been determined for having the largest area and biggest volume of ampalaya production in the province.
Ms. Cristina Ellana of the provincial government of Nueva Ecija presents the province’s Commodity Investment Plan (PCIP) before the members of the Central Luzon Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB) on August 19 at King’s Royale in Bacolor, Pampanga.
The sub-projects identified in the Provincial Commodity Investment Plan (PCIP) based on value chain analysis and prioritization criteria are the 5.18km farm-to-market road worth P50.4 million and P17.9 million-ampalaya enterprise.
The FMR project will serve barangays San Juan, Villa Joson and Polais while the ampalaya enterprise will be managed by Simulang Panibagong Bukas (SIPBU); Kapisanangmga Babaeng Nagtatanimng Gulaya atbp. (KABANGA); and Kapisungan Producers Cooperative (KAPISOCO).
Aside from being named as the rice granary of the Philippines, Nueva Ecija ranks second in ampalaya or bitter gourd production in the entire country. Ampalaya industry is among the major sources of income for many NovoEcijanos. (rosemarie joson)
