THE strong support of the Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) of Davao del Norte led to the successful implementation of three big subprojects of DA-PRDP worth P337.5 million.
Two infrastructure subprojects under the I-Build component and one enterprise subproject under the IReap component were officially turned over by the Department of Agriculture Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) with the PLGU Davao del Norte to the Municipalities of New Corella, Municipality of Kapalong, and Rehoboth Agriculture Cooperative (RACO) in Panabo City on June 29, 2022.
The first subproject turned over was the 15.354-kilometer “Rehabilitation of Poblacion – Limbaan - Suawon – Macgum FMR with Bridge '' worth P209 million with 2 bridges.
The provincial government led by Davao del Norte Provincial Governor Edwin Jubahib, assisted the Project in settling the road right of way. He also thanked all the affected landowners who gave their support and agreed to settle the issue in order for the subprojects’ completion. He hoped that the subprojects would be taken care of as they also provided the barangays with tools and equipment for road maintenance.
“It is not easy to find funds to implement this project so I hope that recipient barangays will really take care of this subproject,” Jubahib said. “This road should not just only last for five years, but more since it follows the quality and standard set by the Project.”
This subproject started in April 2016 under DA-PRDP’s original loan. It took six years before it was officially turned over to the MLGU New Corella but it was worth the wait according to Barangay Captain of Suawon Ricky L. Alcular during his acceptance message representing the four recipient barangays.
In his message, DA-PRDP PSO Mindanao Project Director and DA Regional Executive Director XI Abel James I. Monteagudo, congratulated the PLGU Davao del Norte for their support and hands-on monitoring starting from day one until its completion.
“Congratulations to our subproject recipients in Barangay Poblacion, Brgy. Limba-an, Brgy. Macgum, and Brgy. Suawon. Special thanks to the Province of Davao del Norte for your strong partnership with DA-PRDP. This success is a result of all our collaborative efforts and hard work,” said Monteagudo.
Aside from the FMR with Bridge in New Corella, they also turned over the “Rehabilitation of Capungagan -Boundary San Miguel Farm Market Road” subproject in the Municipality of Kapalong.
The 10.6-kilometer farm-to-market road now provides access to barangay roads going to Florida, Mabantao in the Municipality of Kapalong and Linao, Sawata in the Municipality of San Isidro, and New Loon in the Municipality of Asuncion.
This subproject worth P108 million is supportive of the value chain of existing commodities in the area such as cacao, cardava, and coconut. It addresses the lack of access road from the farm to market, long travel time, and high rate of post-harvest losses.
One enterprise subproject under IReap was also inaugurated – the “Chocolate Processing” enterprise subproject in Panabo City.
This promising subproject aims to boost the cacao industry not just in Panabo City but the entire Davao del Norte.
The Rehoboth Agriculture Cooperative (RACO) is looking forward to producing more 100% dark chocolate after the enterprise subproject under I-REAP was officially handed to them.
PSO Mindanao Project Director Abel James Monteagudo said in his message that this enterprise subproject of RACO is a blessing to cacao farmers in the province.
The enterprise subproject provided them with supplies and materials, processing equipment and machinery, a minivan, and one unit chocolate processing building situated in Barangay San Francisco Arguelles St., Panabo City, Davao del Norte.
Through this support, they can now upscale their existing chocolate production by the use of the said facilities and equipment since they can meet the quality and standard set by their buyers. RACO also envisioned going to a bigger market, not just locally but the international market as well.
This subproject worth P20 million will support the 150 beneficiaries by increasing their income and ensuring that the co-op has a sure market for their chocolate products.
DA-PRDP is a World Bank-assisted national project under the Department of Agriculture (DA) that aims to establish a modern, inclusive, value chain-oriented, and climate-smart agriculture and fisheries sector.
In partnership with the local government units (LGUs) and the private sector, the Project provides key infrastructure, facilities, technology, and information to raise incomes, productivity, and competitiveness in targeted areas.
This strong partnership of DA-PRDP and LGU strengthens the good governance, transparency, and accountability mechanism at all stages of the project cycle. DA-PRDP