Date Published: May 7, 2014

May 7, 2014—To acquaint Social and Environment Safeguards (SES) staff in the Regional Program Coordination Offices (RPCOs) and Program Support Offices (PSOs) with the SES framework and guidelines and update them on the SES project identification and implementation, the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP) National Program Coordination Office (NPCO) SES Unit conducted its First Quarter Assessment on April 22-25, 2014 in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

PRDP Deputy Program Director Arnel de Mesa presented updates on the program and informed participants that sub-projects undertaken under the PRDP must comply with SES guidelines and attention must be given even to the smallest details.

He also reiterated that PRDP recognizes the role and importance of women in undertaking sub-projects under the Investments in Rural Enterprises and Agriculture and Fisheries Productivity (I-REAP) and Intensified Building up of Infrastructure and Logistics for Development (I-BUILD).

De Mesa also said that all proposed sub-projects must be approved by Regional Program Advisory Board (RPAB) and be issued with No Objection Letter -1 (NOL-1), on or before August 31, 2014. Furthermore, all proposed sub-projects with NOL-1 must be issued with NOL-2 and be awarded to the winning contractor  by December 31 this year.

He reminded SES staff to continuously study the SES guidelines for efficient compliance of sub-projects to be carried out under PRDP.

PSOs also presented updates on their SES-related activities, while RPCOs from Mindanao shared their experiences on the matter.

NPCO SES Unit Head Angelita Martir said that more SES-related trainings should be conducted such as e-VSA, Construction safety, and M&E data system for SES to strengthen the personnel.

The SES Unit is tasked to ensure that sub-projects to be implemented under PRDP are not only technically, economically and financially viable, but are also environmentally and socially sound and sustainable.

Moreover, it aims to protect citizens and the environment from adverse effects that may arise during construction of sub-projects under PRDP.

All proposed sub-projects, particularly under I-BUILD and I-REAP components will have to undergo environmental screening conforming to the environmental guidelines being implementeded by the SES Unit. (Catherine Nanta, InfoACE-NPCO)