THE MINDANAO Cluster of the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) has achieved remarkable milestones in 2024, wrapping up its projects under the Second Additional Financing and European Union Co-Financing Grant (AF2-EU) while actively rolling out its PRDP Scale-Up initiatives. These accomplishments reflect PRDP Mindanao’s unwavering commitment to uplifting rural communities through strategic investments in local planning, infrastructure, and enterprise development.
Advancing local planning and investment
Through its I-PLAN component, PRDP Mindanao has significantly bolstered the region’s agricultural value chains. A total of 41 value chain analyses have been approved and integrated into the commodity investment plans of 34 local government units, leading to PHP 104.53 billion in combined investments for the agri-fishery sector, of which PHP 89.256 billion comes from non-PRDP sources.
Key research and training initiatives under Subcomponent 1.2 (SC 1.2) include:
- The development of a commodity profile for Zamboanga Sibugay’s rubber industry in partnership with the Philippine Rubber Research Institute.
- An alternative feeds study for milkfish (bangus) in Davao Oriental supported by Davao Oriental State University.
- A rapid market appraisal for lobster in Caraga Region, in collaboration with North Eastern Mindanao State University.
Training activities such as dairy cattle production in Sarangani and coconut production in Sultan Kudarat further highlight the project’s dedication to equipping farmers with practical skills.
Building vital infrastructure
Under the I-BUILD component, PRDP Mindanao oversees 55 infrastructure subprojects funded through AF2-EU. These include farm-to-market roads, potable water systems, solar-powered warehouses, and trading posts.
As of 2024:
- 28 subprojects valued at PHP 854 million have been completed, directly benefiting thousands of farmers and fisherfolk.
- 27 projects are ongoing, with 17 nearing completion, achieving over 80% physical progress.
- Regions 12 and BARMM lead in completed and ongoing projects, respectively, showcasing strong regional efforts to advance infrastructure development.
Empowering local enterprises
PRDP’s I-REAP component has implemented 50 enterprise subprojects focusing on commodities such as coffee, cacao, and coconut, with a combined investment of PHP 2.66 billion under AF2 and AF2-EU Co-Financing.
To date:
- 21 enterprise subprojects have been completed.
- 29 are in various stages of implementation, with BARMM leading the way in ongoing initiatives.
Scaling up rural development
As PRDP Mindanao transitions to the PRDP Scale-Up, significant progress has been achieved:
- I-PLAN: The development of Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Investment Portfolios (RAFIPs) is underway, alongside consultations and workshops for the Rice Value Chain Analysis (VCA). Tools like KoboTool have been utilized to gather data from rice farmers, ensuring targeted and impactful interventions.
- I-BUILD: The cluster currently manages 107 active subproject proposals worth PHP 20.02 billion, with farm-to-market roads making up 73 subprojects valued at PHP 14.20 billion.
- I-REAP: Five new enterprise subprojects, valued at PHP 749.23 million, have been enrolled in the SIDLAN Management Information System, advancing economic resilience in local communities.
Collaboration drives success
PRDP Mindanao’s achievements are anchored on strategic engagement with LGUs, contractors, and other stakeholders. Direct consultations, on-site validations, and collaborative meetings have been vital in addressing challenges and ensuring efficient project delivery.
Transforming rural communities
As PRDP Mindanao continues its mission, the project’s accomplishments underscore the transformative power of convergence, innovation, and collaboration in fostering inclusive rural development. These milestones mark another step forward in empowering farmers and fisherfolk, paving the way for a brighter, more resilient future for Mindanao’s rural communities.
