BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, March 19 (PNA) — The provincial government here will be needing PHP1.28 billion to pursue the implementation of its local version of the national government’s Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP) in the province.
The PRDP, a 2013-2019 project through World Bank (WB) loan, is being pushed by the Department of Agriculture (DA) in provinces, municipalities and cities that depend mostly on agri-based economies.
Engineer Edgardo Sabado, provincial planning and development officer, said the PRDP plan for the province involves the construction of additional farm-to-market Roads (FMRs) and bridges mostly in upland areas, establishment of irrigation and water system projects, fruit and vegetables processing and marketing centers, among others.
The PRDP’s focus in the province will be the production, development, processing and marketing of highland vegetables, coffee and fruits such as onion, mango, pineapple and citrus varieties.
“We are now in the process of completing the other requirements needed for the release of the funds from the WB. Hopefully, we can have initial developments this year,” Sabado said.
He said they have recently conducted a multi-sectoral and agency consultation to finalize their PRDP plan for the province.
The PRDP intends to bring economic development in its coverage areas through the provision of agri-support services and facilities for farmers inorder to increase the income of their households, their products and its value in the market.
Sabado said that once the components of the PRDP will be put in place in the province, farmers can become competitors towards agricultural globalization .
Some of the proposed FMRs are the 17.47 kilometer Capisaan road in Kasibu town, 1.82 kilometer Calitlitan-Bone North-Bone South-Nagcuartelan road and 2.5 kilometer Comon–Gasaja-Sitip road in Aritao town, Pampang-Besong road in Kayapa town and the Oyao-Salinas-Nansiakan-Oyao-Kanabuan road in Bambang and Kayapa towns, among others. (PNA)