Angeles City, PAMPANGA – With the ambition to achieve viable and advantageous investment, the Provincial Management and Implementing Unit (PPMIU) of Zambales is eyeing the addition of goat in the Provincial Commodity Investment Plan (PCIP).

This was gleaned during a 2-day workshop (July 11-12, 2019) conducted by the Philippine Rural Development Office (PRDP) under the Regional Planning and Coordination Office (RPCO) Region III I-PLAN Component held at Azzurro Hotel, here.

The PCIP is a 3-year strategic plan between the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the provincial local government unit that rationalizes the interventions within the various segments of the value chain analysis of the commodities with the participation of various stakeholders and shall be the basis of PRDP in choosing eligible subprojects for funding.

The province of Zambales requested for goat to be included in their priority commodities since it is included in the Regional Priority Commodities per Regional Agricultural and Fisheries Modernization Plan with an approved value chain analysis.

It was learned that goat has significantly developed as a livestock commodity in Zambales, with an increase in producers. The goat industry yields range of products including meat, milk, fiber and skin.

Raising goats can be compared to raising other considerably reared livestock such as beef cattle and sheep.

During the workshop, PPMIUs were given generous amount of time to set their objectives and strategies on how to achieve their target of a sustainable and profitable goat industry.

Newly-appointed RPCO I-PLAN Component Head Dr. Arthur Dayrit encouraged the delegates to air their queries for brainstorming of an achievable investment plan.

“Let’s keep in mind that we are doing this workshop for our stakeholders, lets come up with a good investment plan,” Dayrit added.

Also present during the workshop are RPCO III Procurement Head Gil G. David, Monitoring & Evaluation Head June H. Lacasandile, Social & Environment Safeguards Unit Head Arlene Torres and Project Support Office (PSO) I-PLAN Component Head William Valdez.

PRDP continuous to partner with local government units and private sectors in providing key infrastructure, facilities, technology and information that promotes revenue, productivity and competitiveness in the countryside. (Ma. Reina Len Luna, RPCO3 InfoACE)