PRDP’s Project Support Office (PSO) Mindanao led the 3rd Mindanao PSO-RPCO Coordination Meeting last August 12, 2021 via Webex. 

The coordination meeting is conducted regularly by the PSO Mindanao together with the six () Regional Project Coordination Offices (RPCOs) from RPCO 9, RPCO 10, RPCO 11, RPCO 12, RPCO 13, and RPCO BARMM. 

In his opening message, PSO Mindanao Project Director Engr. Ricardo Oñate, Jr. congratulated everyone for a job well done during the 12th World Bank Implementation Support Mission where the Project attained a satisfactory rate from the World Bank. 

Director Oñate  added that despite their positive rating, there is still more work to be done for the Project. 

“We have gathered for the third time to have this coordination meeting so we can push through the challenges ahead with strategies and solutions that will once again prove that Mindanao is stronger together,” said Onate. 

The morning activity included presentations on disbursement updates by PSO Economist Imma Camille Requilme, finance updates by OIC Finance Unit Head Christian Xerxis Hernandez, status of subprojects under the Original Loan with a time motion analysis by Monitoring and Evaluation Unit Head Joseph Rico, and procurement updates on IREAP subprojects presented by Procurement Unit Head Nor Gonzales. 

PSO Mindanao Deputy Project Director Noel T. Provido reminded all the RPCOs to continue their efforts to complete the subprojects under the Original Loan so they can focus on the upcoming subprojects which will be implemented under the Additional Financing 2-European Union  funds (AF2-EU).  

In the afternoon, I-REAP Component Head Ronnie Yulo reported on the status of pipelined subprojects under I-REAP for the AF2-EU, followed by I-PLAN Component head Cerenio Tila presenting on the the updates on Value-Chain Analysis (VCA) Updating and I-PLAN fund disbursement.  The afternoon’s presentations were capped by a report by Procurement Head Nor Gonzales on the Updates on the Procurement Manual for I-REAP under AF2-EU. 

Deputy Director Provido also gave a brief report on the upcoming 13th World Bank Mission to solicit the support of all the RPCOs in making the necessary preparations by November.

Throughout the pandemic, the Mindanao Cluster has learned how to adapt to the new normal by maximizing the use of virtual platforms by conducting their meetings and trainings online. 

“This coordination meeting is important because it not only strengthens the relationship between the PSO and the RPCOs but affirms the fact that what we accomplish is a result of everyone’s cooperation,” said Dir. Onate.