GENERAL SANTOS CITY, (PNA) — The national government has delivered around P842 million worth of projects across Mindanao in the last six years under the World Bank-assisted Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP).
Amalia Jayag-Datukan, Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 12 director, said the government has allotted at least P1.2 billion in livelihood assistance to farmers and peoples’ organizations under the MRDP and a total of P842 million has been utilized so far.
She said the funds were released under the MRDP’s Community Fund for Agricultural Development (CFAD).
In 2007, the Department of Agriculture (DA) launched the expanded MRDP, which is mainly funded by a loan facility from the World Bank with counterpart funds from the national and local government.
Datukan said Region 12, which is also known as the Soccsksargen Region, led the disbursement of program funds at a rate of 93 percent.
It posted the most number of completed sub-projects among the six regions in Mindanao that were funded and implemented through the program, she said.
Of the 770 sub-projects implemented in Region 12, the official said a total of 694 worth P242.5 million have been so far completed.
“Our accomplishment only speaks up how our MRDP personnel devoted their time and efforts in ensuring that our project beneficiaries do their part in disbursing the funds given to them,” Datukan said in a statement.
Next to Region 12, Caraga region posted a total of 527 completed subprojects out of 686; Northern Mindanao with 516 out of 775; Davao Region with 398 out of 560; Zamboanga Peninsula with 301 out of 506; and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with 295 out of 483.
In terms of the CPAD budget, Northern Mindanao and Caraga have both accessed P250 million, P202.5 million for the Davao Region, P192.5 million for ARMM and P127.5 million for Zamboanga Peninsula.
CFAD applies the demand-driven approach where the farmer-beneficiaries plan, decide, procure, implement and manage their livelihood activities, the statement said.
Lealyn Ramos, MRDP program director, said their respective local government units endorsed the beneficiaries.
Currently, 549 subprojects worth P234.8 million are ongoing and 500 subprojects worth P168.7 million are up for implementation.
The other components of MRDP include Investments for Governance Reforms and Program Administration, Rural Infrastructure, and Natural Resource Management.