Basco, Batanes – The Regional Project Coordination Office 2 (RPCO2) had recently conducted a reorientation to PLGU Batanes. As a result, RPCO 2 will assist and support the Provincial Project Management Implementing Unit (PPMIU) of Batanes by way of appropriate combinations of technical assistance, capacity building, and science-based planning tools for mainstreaming the DA’s AFMP Planning Framework.

This special activity was carried out to put PPMIU-Batanes on board PRDP implementation under the leadership of Gov. Marilou H. Cayco. The technical assistance provided by the RPCO2 team covered capacity building on science based planning tools for mainstreaming.

These tools are the AFMP Planning Framework Segment/Enterprise Prioritization, Business Modelling, Survey and Validation of potential subprojects and initial subproject preparation.

The reorientation was attended by the Provincial Governor, Vice Governor, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members, Municipal Mayors, and Technical Personnel from both the provincial and municipal governments.

These local officials and support staff were briefed about PRDP, a special project of the Department of Agriculture, with funding assistance from the World Bank, government of the Philippines and participating local government units.

PRDP is a 6 year project which commenced in 2014 with the main aim of establishing the national government platform for a modern, climate-smart and market-oriented Agri-fishery sector. Externally, it is focused on expanding market access and improve competitiveness. Internally, it will introduce reforms in operating the DA bureaucracy.

The team was composed of Dr. Freddie B. Corsino, Action Officer and I-SUPPORT Component Head, Ms. Kay Olivas, I-PLAN Component Head, and PMED Chief with her staff: Dr. Reynaldo Ame, Dr. Dandan Fulgencio, Mr. Jeff Factora; Ms. Orelie de las Alas of NPCO; Mrs. Maria Lourdes Corsino and Dyna Regalario, SES Unit; Engr. Oscar Andrada and Ms. Marissa Tuliao of I-REAP; Engr. Avelino Moreno and Engr. Edmund Banzali of I-BUILD; Beverly Tamayo, GGU; Dr. Ferdinand N. Cortez, InfoACE Unit with Dicksteine Pascual, Mark Genesis Abella, and Florencio Lorica; Don de la Cruz of M @ E; Mr. Kenette Favor from Finance; and Mr. Joseph Buncad from Admin. Mr. Ariel Briones, I-PLAN PSO Luzon A Cluster was also there.

“The province of Batanes is indeed blessed today with your presence,” Vice Governor Ronald A. Aguto said in his welcome remarks. “We thank you, and as a gesture of welcoming you. . . .” he then led the Batanes delegates into singing a welcome song.

“Even though new in my office, I have already some information about DA-PRDP. I am encouraging all local government units (here) to participate in this venture. I am willing to be a participant, as your governor; if only to improve our agricultural sector,” Gov. Marilou H. Cayco emphasized in her message.

“I have instructed Mr. Cesar Hostallero, our Provincial Agriculturist, to convene a task force to identify our priorities. There is a need for the provincial government to revisit and rank its needs to be addressed. We are developing a project in Sabtang and we are hoping you can help us with a priority need here in Batan Island.”

Mayors present were Mayor Jonathan Nanud of Uyugan; Mayor Armando Alvarez of Sabtang; Mayor Proceso Balasbas of Mahatao and Mayor Leonardo Hostallero of Ivana. About 75% of the Ivatans are farmers and fishermen. The rest are employed in the government service sector. Garlic, rootcrops and cattle are major cash crops. Ivatans plant camote (sweet potato), their staple food, cassava, gabi or tuber and a unique variety of white uvi. Sugarcane is raised to produce palek, a kind of native wine, and vinegar.

In recent years, fish catch has declined due to the absence of technical know-how. Employment opportunities are scarce. Most of the educated Ivatans have migrated to urban centers or have gone abroad.

Distance and bad weather work against economic growth. Certain commodities like rice, soft drinks, and gasoline carry a 75% to 100% markup over Manila retail prices. The province is also the home of the protected breadfruit tree and tatus (coconut crabs).

“The province has a total area of 219 square kilometers comprising ten islands situated within the Luzon Strait between the Babuyan Islands (belonging to Cagayan province and Taiwan. The islands are sparsely populated and subject to frequent typhoons. The three largest islands, Batan, Itbayat, and Sabtang, are the only inhabited islands,” Mr. Celso Batallones, BES Manager said. “around 17, 600 inhabit this province archipelago.” (Dr. Ferdinand N. Cortez, DA-PRDP RPCO2 InfoACE Unit)