Piñol urges LGUs to utilize PRDP funds

AGRICULTURE Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol has urged local government units (LGUs) to utilize Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) in a bid to bring rural development.

Piñol has recently met with some provincial governors at DA central office to discuss implementation issues of DA’s Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP).

“Fund utilization equals delivery of services. If we cannot utilize the funds, that means we did not deliver the services,” Piñol said.

Governors present during the meeting were Quirino Governor Junie E. Cua, Ilocos Norte Governor Imee R. Marcos, Aurora Governor Gerardo Noveras, Pangasinan governor Amado A. Espino III, Kalinga Governor Joel Baac, Oriental Mindoro Governor Alfonso Umali, Camarines Sur Governor Miguel Luis Villafuerte, Catanduanes Governor Joseph Cua, Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo G. Marañon, Aklan Governor Florencio T. Miraflores, South Cotabato Governor Daisy AvanceFuentes, Agusan del Sur Governor Edward Adoplh Plaza, and representatives from Bohol and Iloilo.

“We want to hear you and know what it is that slows down the implementation,” Piñol said, adding that the order of President Rodrigo R. Duterte is that any money intended for the people should be delivered in the fastest possible way.

“PRDP is the best development project that has happened in our province. It’s the most transparent and objective,” said Marañon.

He said after a road was concreted in one remote area in his province, travel time of farmers, teachers, and students was reduced by 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, among the issues raised particularly by Mindanao governors, Plaza and Fuentes were the low turnout of bidders due to boom of construction activities, which have easier requirements to comply with, and long process of review and approval of enterprise projects.

Piñol noted the recommendations of the governors as critical input when DA negotiates for policy changes as provincial LGUs are at the forefront of implementation.

In the report of national deputy project director Cirilo Namoc, the PRDP has a total of 372 approved infrastructure projects amounting to P19.39 billion. Of the number, the PRDP has completed a total of 25 farm-to-market roads measuring 72.85 kilometers in total; 2 potable water systems serving 1,266 households; and 2 postharvest facilities.

Of the infrastructure portfolio, Mindanao gets the biggest chunk of 42 percent, North Luzon cluster gets 24 percent, South Luzon cluster with 19 percent and Visayas cluster gets 15 percent.

In terms of enterprise development, known as the IREAP Component, a total of 454 agri-fishery enterprises have been approved amounting to P746.55 million. Of the number, 12 projects have been completed, serving a total of 3,528 farmers and fisherfolk; 33 projects are under implementation; and 409 are on procurement stage. Sherwin B. Manual/ PSO Mindanao