Baguio City – Intensive reviews and critiquing were conducted for the business plans of three provinces from North Luzon cluster last April 20-24 in this city.

Provincial Project Management Implementing Units (PPMIUs) and their corresponding proponent groups from Ilocos Sur, Mountain Province and Benguet presented their Provincial Commodity Investment Plans (PCIPs) and business plans for thorough review. Representatives from the Project Support Office (PSO) Luzon A led by Deputy Project Director Elma Mananes and IREAP Business Development Specialist Bernard Paningbatan gave out constructive comments and recommendations for this five-day event.

Ilocos Sur’s Fresh Carabao Mango Trading was the first presented, followed by Mountain Province Coffee Arabica Enterprise and Benguet Coffee Arabica Enterprise. The three provinces also presented their enterprise prioritization as well as the proponent group selection and results.

Regional Executive Director Andrew Villacorta who graced the event took the opportunity to present South Cotabato’s pilot subproject with hopes to serve as a good example for the said subprojects waiting for the No Objection Letter 1 (NOL1) issuance.

The P39.3 million subproject dubbed as the Production and Marketing of Cassava Granules was issued the NOL1 by the World Bank last December 2014 and is the second subproject to have received so.

Director Villacorta noted the selection of the project’s proponent group, complementing their excellent track record which contributed to the successful issuance of the NOL1. Another factor according to Villacorta is Mindanao’s experience in the successful Mindanao Rural Development Project (MRDP). (Kayla Arceo)