THE Cordillera Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB) of the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) under the Department of Agriculture (DA) has approved and endorsed four sub-projects that aim to further boost agriculture in the region, according to DA-CAR Regional Director Cameron Odsey.
The projects approved during the most recent board meeting include the P8.025 million hauling and delivery services of a farmer’s cooperative in Kabayan, Benguet; the construction of Central Mayoyao Level II potable water system (PWS) worth P95.089 million; the construction of Aguinaldo Level II PWS worth PHP17.939 million; and the Improvement of Pula-Cawayan-Camadag farm-to-market road (FMR) with bridge in Asipulo, Ifugao costing P186.993 million, for a total expected cost of P308 million.
The PWS in Aguinaldo was re-endorsed due to necessary variations and changes that were found during the subproject appraisal, which led to an increase in project cost.
Meanwhile, the previously terminated FMR was repackaged with the inclusion of additional structures such as an increase in the costs of labor and materials and the realignment from the original loan funding to the second Additional Financing (AF2).
The PRDP is a loan obtained by the national government through the DA with the financial requirement of the project being shared by the national government and the local government or the farmers’ organization that proposes the enterprise projects.
Odsey said the Cordillera region has obtained several projects under the PRDP, especially FMR projects on the outskirts.