Proposed infrastructure and enterprise subprojects by three Local Government Units (LGUs) in MIMAROPA amounting to PhP321.6 million were recently approved by the MIMAROPA Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB) during a business meeting conducted on December 17, 2021.

During the business meeting, RPAB Chairman Regional Executive Director (RED) Antonio Gerundio expressed his appreciation to the efforts of the LGUs of Pinamalayan and Mansalay in Oriental Mindoro, as well as the Provincial Government of Marinduque for their relentless effort to be able to present their respective subproject proposals.

“Now we’re gathered here today because naghahabol tayo ng ating mga projects na makasama sa ating PRDP projects. We laud their [LGUs] effort, especially na in a short time eh they were able to come up with their project proposals and of course ang ating mga technical people ng RPCO at PSO ay nagtulong-tulong upang ito ay mapabilis,” said RED Gerundio in his welcome message.

Among the five subprojects approved was the Marinduque Swine Meat Processing subproject amounting to PhP14,717,975.94. This enterprise will capitalize on longganisa and tocino products, benefiting the 488 Farm Operators of Marinduque Multi-Purpose Cooperative (FOMMCO) members.

During the presentation of the said subproject, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) RED Joel Valera emphasized the importance of complying with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards. He also assured the Proponent Group (PG) of assistance through the provision of a water pump.

Meanwhile, the Municipality of Pinamalayan in Oriental Mindoro was able to get three subprojects approved. These subprojects include the Concreting and Opening of Barangay Sta. Isabel Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) (2.2 kilometers worth PhP49,994,600.81), the Concreting of Brgy. Del Razon to Brgy. Malaya FMR with Bridge (5.48 kilometers worth PhP156,856,394.21), and the Construction of Pinamalayan Slaughterhouse AA (360 square meters worth PhP49,999,490.46).

With the approval of these three infrastructures, Pinamalayan Mayor Aristero Baldos Jr. was not shy in expressing his gratitude to the RPAB members.

“Ang inyo pong pagdinig sa aming mga kahilingan na maipagawa ang aming mga kalsada at ang aming slaughterhouse ay isang malaking katulungan sa aming bayan, lalong lalo na sa industriya ng niyog at sagingan na kung saan ang bayan po ng Pinamalayan ay ang isa sa mga top producers ng niyog at ng saging. At pagdating naman po sa aming slaughterhouse, ang Pinamalayan po ang pangatlo sa MIMAROPA sa pinakamaraming pinapatay na baboy dito sa region. Ang una po ay Calapan, sumunod po ang Puerto Prinsesa,” said Mayor Baldos.

The last subproject to be approved was the Construction of Mansalay Slaughterhouse (AA) in the Municipality of Mansalay in the province of Oriental Mindoro. This subproject, worth PhP49,999,490.46, is set to benefit more than 13,000 players in the swine industry in the immediate vicinity of the subproject.

The RPAB Business Meeting was attended by Department of Agrarian Reform Engineer II Melvin Ethel Tirao; Department of Environment and Natural Resources Licenses, Patents and Deeds Division OIC Cesar Odi; Department of Interior and Local Government Project Development and Management Unit Chairman Lorenzo Suarez; and Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council Chairman Alfonso Esguerra, Jr.  (Danica A. Brutas, DA-PRDP MIMAROPA RPCO InfoACE Unit)

Rendered image of the proposed Pinamalayan AA Slaughterhouse presented during the RPAB Business Meeting. (Photo by Danica A. Brutas, DA-PRDP MIMAROPA RPCO InfoACE Unit)

DA RED Antonio Gerundio, CESO III, DPA welcomed the attendees during the RPAB Business Meeting. (Photo by Danica A. Brutas, DA-PRDP MIMAROPA RPCO InfoACE Unit)

Attendees of the RPAB Business Meeting after the presentation and approval of five subprojects. (Photo by Danica A. Brutas, DA-PRDP MIMAROPA RPCO InfoACE Unit)