DA-PRDP Deputy Director Arnel De Mesa and World Bank delegates Noel Sta. Ines and Michael Roscitt check the Project Bulletin and Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) Poster of the Bubulong Malaki, Bulusukan, Bubulong Munti, Bohol na Mangga FMR Improvement Project in San Ildefonso, Bulacan during a recent visit and assessment in the province. The GRM poster aims to encourage citizens to report complaints and unsatisfactory service by the project implementers. (Photo by Kathrino Resurreccion, DA-PRDP) World Bank lauds community participation in PRDP sub-projects in Bulacan
The World Bank lauded the Bulacan provincial government for involving the community and various stakeholders in the implementation of sub-projects funded under the Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP).
During the World Bank team visit in San Ildefonso on October 13, 2015, the delegates were impressed with the involvement and participation of the residents in the planning, procurement, and implementation of the various PRDP initiatives.
Bulacan provincial government has recently received approval for the implementation of a 9.8-kilometer farm-to-market road in San Ildefonso, and is currently awaiting the approval for funding of their enterprise development for the Triple B Charantin sub-project.
Jocelyn Sayco, a farmer from barangay Bukal said she donated a part of her land affected by the road improvement.
“Nagsisimula na rin akong magtanim ng ampalaya, para sa I-REAP (enterprise development) project dito sa amin,” she added. (I have already started planting bitter gourd as participation to the I-REAP project in the municipality.)
I-REAP proponent groups in the municipality have also attended series of trainings in business plan preparation and financial management to further capacitate them in handling the enterprise development sub-project.
Bohol na Mangga Marketing Cooperative Chairman Rolando Cayetano Jr., said, “Dahil sa kagustuhan ng bawat miyembro na umunlad, sumasali kami sa mga pagsasanay ng PRDP.” (Because of the members’ desire to be successful, we join the trainings conducted by the PRDP)
Brgy. Bulusukan Chairman Darwin Calderon added that one cooperative member, Zaldy Nuñez even donated 750 square meters of his land for the construction of a processing facility for the I-REAP project.
The I-REAP sub-project proposed by the PLGU worth P14.9-million aims to improve the production, processing, and marketing of ampalaya as ingredient for herbal capsules and tea which are promoted as anti-diabetic supplement.
Bulacan Provincial Project Management and Implementation Unit (PPMIU) Head Arlene Pascual said that arrangement with farmers in supervising the construction of the road is also underway.
“This is to ensure that the project is implemented correctly by the contractor and the local government,” she said.
“The four barangays has formed a Barangay Inspection Team (BIT), and as part of their task, the BIT members will attend a training on Grievance Redress Mechanism conducted by the PRDP Project Support Office in Luzon A,” Pascual added.
The World Bank delegates were impressed to see that the community is aware and enthusiastic about the projects, but reminded that they need to learn basic skills to see if the project is implemented properly.
The team added that the province should also consider university students near the area and civil society organizations to engage in the monitoring and ensure proper construction of the road.
The PRDP, the government’s main platform for rural development, aims to improve rural economy by operationalizing local-level convergence among agricultural stakeholders, synergizing programs and projects for modern, climate-smart and market-oriented agri-fishery sector that benefits the greater segment of farmers and fishers. (Catherine Nanta, DA-PRDP)
