Wednesday, November 28, 2007 DA, World Bank eye better services for Mindanao poor
WITH the aim to better the implementation of the second phase of the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP2), the first World Bank review mission was conducted recently across the island.
MRDP2 is a continuation of poverty reduction initiatives of the government through the Department of Agriculture backed by the World Bank.
The program aims to lessen poverty incidence by capacitating people's organizations, establishing food security, and augmenting family incomes throughout Mindanao.
The review mission discussed the critical issues and constraints hampering the effective and timely implementation of MRDP2.
The World Bank team leader Carolina Figueroa-Geron stressed the importance of the timely implementation of the program so as to maximize the utilization of the funds for immediate benefit of the rural folks in Mindanao.
"It is our sincerest wish to implement projects as soon as possible in order to capacitate the people and eventually uplift them from mud-ground of poverty," Geron said.
The review mission also assessed the status implementation of the agreed actions during the launch mission in June 2007 and appraised the work and financial plan of the program in 2008.
On its year-one of implementation, MRDP2 targets to disburse P440 million intended for farm-to-market roads, bridges, communal irrigation and level-2 potable water supply under the Rural Infrastructure component.
The Community Fund for Agricultural Development or CFAD aims to disburse a total amount of P128 million for agri-fishery livelihood projects and small agricultural infrastructure.
Meanwhile, a budget close to P44 million is intended for environmental conservation. Also, over P 71 million is billed for capacity building and technical trainings to ensure project sustainability.
"This (review mission) is a good mechanism to look at how we have so far fared, point out what have been done well, and more importantly point out areas needing improvement," said Roger C. Chio, MRDP director and DA 11 regional executive director.
The review mission kicked off in Butuan City, covering Regions 10 and 13.
The second leg was held in Koronadal City for Regions 11 and 12 while the third leg for the clustered Regions 9 and Armm was held in Cotabato City.
The phase one of MRDP ended with high remarks in 2004, paving the way for the expanded second phase which covers all of Mindanao's 27 provinces, including 225 municipalities.
