To prepare the next batch of subprojects for approval under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP), the I-REAP Component of the Regional Project Coordination Office 3 (RPCO3) spearheaded a Business Plan Preparation Training Workshop last November 3 – 6 in Angeles City, Pampanga that was attended by the provincial project implementation and monitoring units (PPMIUs) and the proponent groups from Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bataan, Pampanga and Tarlac.

RPCO3 I-REAP Component Head William Valdez said that they are already lining up as early as now the next batch of enterprise development subprojects that will be presented and proposed to the Central Luzon Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB). “Trainings and workshops like this are essential in coming up with an excellent business plan,” said Mr. Valdez. “That is why we invited specialists and experts from the different project components and units in order to guide the participants regarding the important requirements and documents that should be included in a business plan.”

Among the specialists who participated in the workshop are from the I-BUILD, Social and Environmental Safeguards, Procurement Unit, the Geomapping and Governance Unit, and the Finance Unit.

RPCO3 Alternate Focal Person Gil David, who also took part in the workshop and critiquing of the write-ups, said that aside from helping the PPMIUs and proponent groups in preparing the business plans, the activity also aimed to gear the participants regarding the latest updates of PRDP.

As of November 2015, Central Luzon has prepared and proposed nine enterprise development subprojects, all of which are RPAB-approved and waiting for the issuance of the No Objection Letter 1 (NOL1) from the National Project Coordination Office. (Mark Erron H. San Mateo,RPCO3 InfoACE)