Saturday, August 16, 2008 LGU execs agree to equal cost sharing for WB-funded program
KORONADAL CITY -- Local chief executives in Central Mindanao have signed a memorandum of agreement with the national government for a 50-50 sharing scheme in the implementation of the second phase of the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP-2) in the area, an official said.
Abusama M. Alid, Department of Agriculture regional director, said the Cabinet-level Investment Coordination Committee approved the equal equity sharing on rural infrastructure proposed by local executives for the implementation of the World Bank-funded project.
Previously, the sharing mix was based on the local government unit's income classification, with only the fifth and sixth class towns enjoying 50-50 cost sharing.
Regardless of classification, LGUs in the region will shoulder half the cost of the infrastructure project under MRDP-2, which is implemented by the Agriculture department, Alid said.
Last year, the World Bank approved a loan package worth US$83.752 million to the national government to expand the MRDP for another five years.
MRDP was introduced in 1999 as a poverty reduction program for the rural poor and indigenous communities in Mindanao. It aims to improve income and food security in the targeted rural communities.
The first phase of MRDP, which was completed in December 2004, covered 32 towns in five provinces in Mindanao.
The second phase covers 27 provinces and 225 towns in Mindanao, the country's second largest island whose growth has been stunted by the decades old Moro rebellion. (BSS)
