More than half of the covered towns of the antipoverty program of the Department of Agriculture in Mindanao have gained results of their investments.
Barely eight months after it formally commenced project implementation, DA’s Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) has benefited 146 of its 225 covered towns across the island regions.
MRDP is an $83 million poverty alleviation program of the government funded through an adaptable program loan from the World Bank plus the funding from the national and local government units (LGUs).
As it gears to improve incomes of small farmers and ensure food security, the program aims establish agricultural infrastructure like farm-to-market roads, irrigation, potable water system and post harvest facilities. Coupled with agri-based livelihood projects, the program takes a more holistic approach to rural development.
In his report during the kick-off activity of the three-week World Bank review mission, Deputy Director Arnel V. De Mesa said that at least 146 towns have reaped initial gains in their investment.
“Six months after we have had our catch-up plan to cover our 18 month delay, we have seen initial and surely promising headway,” De Mesa said.
He explained, however, that the gains are at various levels. “Some have completed the projects, other projects are nearing completion, others are at procurement level, and some more are waiting for notices to proceed,” he said.
To date, De Mesa reported that of the P1.2 billion on the pipeline for infrastructure projects under the Rural Infrastructure (RI) component, P25 million has been completed and many of the on-going projects are within 70 – 85 percent complete.
Out of the P127 million worth of livelihood projects earmarked for the Community Fund for Agricultural Development (CFAD) component for it year one town, over P47million has been completed, close to P22 million are on-going projects while the remaining amount is on the procurement process.
Leading regions and provinces
Of the six regions in Mindanao, Region 10 leads in the implementation of the projects with its total P270 million worth if infrastructure projects on the pipeline. Of this amount, over P17 million worth of farm-to-market roads in Linamon and Salvador towns in Lanao del Norte and Manolo Fortich in the province of Bukidnon have been completed.
Caraga region follows closely with its pipelined P215 million worth of infrastructure projects. The towns of Esperanza, Agusan del Sur and Carmen in Surigao del Sur had finished their farm-to-market roads.
Further the top five performing regions are Agusan del Sur, Sultan Kudarat, Zamboanga del Sur, Lanao del Norte and Sarangani Province.
Fresh opportunities
Beneficiaries said that the projects have brought substantial development and new opportunities for the LGU and the rural folks.
For Malapatan Mayor Aida Singcoy in the Province of Sarangani, the farm to market road which reached to highland villages of B’laans in her town has spurred more economic activities among the lumad farmers and allowed easier delivery of social services on the part of the LGU.
In Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte, Mayor Benjie Baguio said that the road which connected the farthest barangay to the town center contributed much in securing peace and order in his town.
While in Esperanza, Agusan del Sur and Polomolok, South Cotabato the FMR and bridge constructed in their respective areas has reduced transport costs of their produce making them earn better farming incomes.
Other town beneficiaries
Other covered towns are yet to benefit from the program as they are on the process of completing the paper requisite while others are still preparing for their financial counterpart.
The program applies 50:50 cost-sharing scheme for its RI component and P500 thousand for the CFAD component.
