PRDPinFOCUS Cordillera January to June 2022

PRDPinF CUS
CORDILLERA
The official publication of the Department of Agriculture - Philippine Rural Development Project
Regional Project Coordination Office - Cordillera Administrative Region
Vol. 7 No. I
JANUARY
2022TO JUNE

RAISING THE BAR
ININCPRLOVUIDSINIGVINETERGVERNTOIONWS FTORH

For more than seven years now, the Department of RPCO-CAR
Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) Key Officials
has been staying in course towards achieving inclusive growth
through Broad-based Rural Agro-Industrial Development, CAMERON P. ODSEY
as it continues to work with the local government units and
the private sector in providing key infrastructure, facilities, Project Director
technology, and information that will raise incomes,
productivity, and competitiveness in the countryside. This DANILO P. DAGUIO, Ph.D., CESO IV
issue of the PRDPinFOCUS Cordillera unveils stories of
proponent initiatives and interventions that are expected Deputy Project Director
to make or have already made an influence on farmers and
their communities. SUSAN D. BALANZA, Ph.D.

RED’S VIEWPOINT 3 I-PLAN Component Head
DPD'S VIEWPOINT 4
5 ENGR. GASTON B. CAEL
EDITOR'S NOTE
I-BUILD Component Head
NEWS I-BUILD
JOCELYN W. BERAY
DA-PRDP SCORES SATISFACTORY RATING 14 NEWLY OPENED FMR IN BANAUE NOW
I-REAP Component Head
FROM THE WORLD BANK 6 COMPLETE
ATTY. JENNILYN M. DAWAYAN, CESO IV
INITIAL STEPS COMMENCED FOR HOG 6 16 NEW COMPLETED FMR SEEN TO DRIVE
VCA DEVELOPMENT I-SUPPORT Component Head & Procurement Unit Head
AGRI GROWTH IN FLORA
FERNANDO B. ANDRADA
DA-PRDP ROLLS OUT INTEGRATION OF FEATURE
Admin Unit Head
CLIMATE CONSIDERATIONS INTO CIPS 7 18 IMPROVING LIVELIHOODS THROUGH
IN CAR EDNA R. CABAOIG
COFFEE
Budget Unit Head
LGU AGUINALDO PREPPED FOR ROAD 8 20 VOICES AND VIEWS
PROJECT BIDDING AZON W. MANGAL-IP

I-REAP FEATURE Finance Unit Head
PROPONENT ACTIVITIES TO ENSURE 9 22 SAGADA GOLD, A ROAST TO BOAST
SUSTAINABILITY OF INFRA SUBPROJECTS ROBERT L. DOMOGUEN

IN APAYAO MONITORED 26 AGING LIKE FINE SWINE: COOP RAISES InfoACE Unit Head

LA TRINIDAD COOPERATIVE UNVEILS 10 INCOME THROUGH BACKYARD RAISING JASON BUDAS

NEW GREENHOUSE FOR POTATO 28 RIPE FOR THE TAKING: FARMER COOP Monitoring and Evaluation Unit Head
TUBERLETS PRODUCTION VENTURES INTO CARDAVA BANANA
DANILO M. AGLIAM
GAP FOR QUALITY COFFEE PRODUCTION 11 ENTERPRISE
SES Unit Head
STRENGTHENS PGS IN BENGUET 30 NORTH LUZON NEWS BRIEFS
Provincial Project Management and
RTFC'S HEIRLOOM RICE BIZ ENHANCED 12 32 RPCO-CAR UPDATES Implementing Unit
THROUGH DA-PRDP SUPPORT
AS OF JUNE 30, 2022 EXPEDITO M. VILLARUZ

KALINGA BREAKS GROUND FOR NEW 13 34 #INPHOTOS PPMIU Head Abra
DA-PRDP FARM ROAD PROJECT
PRUDENCIO G. BOSING
Editor-in-Chief: Robert L. Domoguen • Writer/Photographer/Design & Layout: Elvy T. Estacio
• Contributors (Photos/Illustrations/Write-ups): Ericson Guiao (PSO) • Darrel Sunga (PSO) • Anna PPMIU Head Apayao
Victoria Margallo (NPCO) • Iconn Cayabyab (NPCO) • Johnson D. Cea • Dalos S. Emok • Rigi May B.
Copatan • Francis D. Dumagas • Isabel Tejo • RPCO-CAR Progress Report: Larenstein Bakilan • Map FIDELA A. LUIS
& Aerial Photos: Francis D. Dumagas • Circulation: RPCO-CAR Components/Units
PPMIU Head Benguet

CARMELITA B. BUYUCCAN

PPMIU Head Ifugao

DANIEL K. LIKIGAN

PPMIU Head Mountain Province

DOMINGO A. BAKILAN

PPMIU Head Kalinga

RPCO-CAR STAFF

I-PLAN Component: Ramon
Bag-eo • Arnel Gagujas • Isabel
Tejo • Jessica Magalgalit •
I-BUILD Component: Genesis
Deloeg • Edwin Camhit •
Myric Ticuala • Pio Farong-ey
• Dina Ira Dulnuan • I-REAP
Component: Imelda Balaoing •
Myrna Basanes • Lorna Panyo •
Rocalyn Gayagay • Johnson Cea
• Dalos Emok • Detleef Campos
• PDO/ORED: Georfielyn Rose
Palome • Finance Unit: Fuller
Sabino • Herdie Daiza • Admin
Unit: Rodel Mark Garcia •
Thelma Villanueva • Geneveive
Agbayani • Jovelyn Valenciano •
Jikiri Rillera • Economics Unit:
Aaron Fagyan • Geomapping
and Governance Unit: Noel
Gallardo • Francis Dumagas •
InfoACE Unit: Elvy Estacio •
Monitoring and Evaluation
Unit: Ma. Imelda Isabel
Zabala • Larenstein Bakilan •
Procurement Unit: Roiston
Carame • Christian Aries Salgado
• Yolanda Lingbawan • Joy Rose
Bawayan • Harold Bagawi • SES
Unit: Rigi May Copatan • Marshal
Dugayon • Czarina Dao-as

BUILDING NEW PATHWAYS
FOR INCLUSIVE GROWTH

Cameron P. Odsey

Regional Executive Director and PRDP Regional Project Director

" Such an awareness spreads as the economic opportunities for local
In Cordillera, PRDP continues to implement farm- residents across gender, age, and
the PRDP-CAR to-market roads (FMR), besides economic-social status.
is associated processing centers, tramlines, But roads are not the only way to
to rural water systems, irrigation systems, transform and grow an economy or
infrastructure and enterprise development to improve living conditions in the
and enterprise projects and activities that are rural areas today.
subprojects that meant to ensure that people There are many possible pathways
are radically living in the rural areas are not left that communities, people and
transforming further behind. institutions could adopt for future
peoples’ lives. In our experience, roads are yet the inclusive growth and jobs for
best pathway for inclusive growth people living in the rural areas.
in the hinterlands of the region, One of the important pathways
especially among our isolated recommended is to become “digital
communities that are being ready.” In this way, constituents
connected to the outside world will hopefully become adept
only now. participants in the many so-
Testimonies by beneficiaries of called frontier technologies that
rural infrastructure projects have are powering the rise of new
fully established the benefits innovations such as advancements
of FMRs to the improvement of in robotics and machine learning.
their living conditions. It connects These are affecting production
their communities to government processes of goods and services in
services, and provides them safer more advanced countries. In our
and faster access to the markets case, improved communications
of their products. In many cases, through virtual reality and use of
the FMRs also serves to transport the internet affect not only the
people and farm inputs and basic wider systems of production but
home amenities to and outside the also how ideas are exchanged. It is
community. also utilized in the delivery of goods
As the demand for FMR subprojects and services.
by our local government units The proposal to be “digital ready” is
(LGUs) continue to increase, it's crucial under the current wave of
time the project should initiate technological change affecting our
its study and documentation of modernized society. The building of
the impact of completed FMRs and maintenance of good roads is
projects in the CAR towards the still a necessity for our communities
improvement of living conditions to fully benefit from innovations of
in general, and other particular the present “age of technology.”
concerns like the creation of new

PRDP committed partner
to innovation on inclusive growth
in the cordillera

Danilo P. Daguio, Ph.D., CESO IV

RPCO-CAR Deputy Project Director and Regional Technical Director for Operations

" The PRDP is being implemented at all levels to strengthen linkages
The Philippine in the Cordillera to establish, across agencies and municipal
Rural enhance, and strengthen the implementing units for the sharing
Development government platform for a of innovation, and to fast track
Project (PRDP) modern, climate-smart and implementation of subprojects
continues to be market-oriented coffee industry and activities.
a committed and other related and suitable
partner of agricultural industries in the Through this network (from
communities in region. the region to the beneficiaries)
the Cordillera the PRDP RPCO-CAR is now
in their quest to PRDP has since worked with accomplishing more game-
use innovation the LGUs and the private sector changing results for rural
as a key driver of in providing key infrastructure, development in the highlands.
inclusive growth. facilities, technology, and
information raising the incomes, The PRDP shares and follows
productivity, and competitiveness standards, protocols, ideas, and
of beneficiaries in the project’s time-bound activities in project
coverage areas. implementation. To be able to
comply with Project requirements,
Through our partnerships, local the Project Management
communities and enterprises Implementing network must
are working side by side with be able to generate and share
PRDP-CAR staff and government innovative ideas and skills that are
agencies in improving the enabling important tools for strengthening
environment for innovation. organizational and individual
capacities, expertise, and abilities
From 2015 to 2022, the PRDP has taking advantage of digitalization,
provided several communities automation, servitization, and
in the Cordillera provinces with the possibilities afforded by the
a total investment of PhP1.814 information age.
billion worth of completed rural
infrastructure, PhP133.76 million The suggestion comes without
worth of cpmpleted enterprise saying how important it is now
projects, and PhP39.96 million for the PMIU leadership and
for empowerment activities and operatives to invest resources
technical assistance. and time to the digitalization
and automation of operations
Through the years, the PRDP has to sustain new ways of doing
been working with the Project business and developing
Management Implementing Units innovative products and services.

THE POWER OF SIMPLE
INNOVATIONS

Robert L. Domoguen

Editor-in-Chief/ RPCO-CAR InfoACE Unit Head and BABRC OIC-Center Head

" To transform this wasteland and quality fruits this year.
Innovative make it part of our abode, I soon
actions may start converted it into a vegetable Solving problems
with a problem, and fruit garden. It is now grown
an obstacle, and with dragon fruit, calamansi, and Today, after two years, the kitchen
what it inspires lemon. garden has become a laboratory
you to do. for me, where I confront
I studied online about integrated agricultural problems that many of
That was how I learned a thing or vegetable growing, particularly our marginal farmers confront in
two about innovation. those things that I can apply in the the open field.
open field with meagre resources.
When we transferred to the Fertilizer continues to be a major Sometimes, I wanted to have
Baguio Animal Breeding and problem especially over the past our laborers construct a small
Research Center (BABRC) two years. It has taught me to greenhouse beside the house.
Superintendent’s Cottage, I was rediscover organic agriculture But I am a story teller and most
confronted with the unsightly view strategies, particularly using good stories are generated from
of construction wastes dumped composted livestock manure and experience. By continuing to farm
around the backyard. fermented kitchen and farm waste. in the open field and encountering
the problems of highland farming
The waste materials included Our backyard or kitchen garden in this way, I may generate quality
gravel and sand, wires, strips of has since produced for us, in seeds, and probe some simple
galvanized iron sheets, broken succession, potatoes, beans, corn, solutions to the problems of
tiles, glasses, weathered wood chili, hot peppers, green onions, smallholder farmers. Sharing our
slabs, hollow blocks, rocks, plastics, pechay, bokchoy, passion fruit, and innovative stories may contribute
among others. honey from our bee colonies. to the improvement of the local
economy along the way.
In some places, the dump was Hanging from the kabite or
overgrown with weeds and stonewalling protecting the house
grasses. It is not safe to walk from erosion, are squash fruits.
around the place.
I am utilizing the kabite for
agricultural production seeing that
it is exposed to the early morning
sun and receives, at least, six
hours of daylight.

After planting and being regularly
fertilized with bokashi tea, the
squash have been producing good

WB Operations Manager Achim Fock
expressed his appreciation for the
invitation to take part and learn from
the ground during the field visits.
He also praised the tremendous
implementation capacity of the DA-
PRDP in every level, making the project
successful in bringing the best support
services for project beneficiaries.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) conducts the wrap-up meeting of the 14th World Bank Head of Cooperation of the
Implementation Support Mission to the DA-Philippine Rural Development Project on June 13, European Union (E.U.) Delegation to
2022. (DA-PRDP NPCO InfoACE Unit) the Philippines Christoph Wagner
expressed positive anticipation on the
DA-PRDP scores Satisfactory partnership with the DA-PRDP, with the
Rating from the World Bank aim to reach out to communities with
minimal capacity, and inspire more
The Department of Agriculture – to embody what it takes to be a true engagement among the stakeholders.
Philippine Rural Development Project public servant, and I am grateful that
(DA-PRDP) reached another milestone I am continuously surrounded by As the first hybrid event since the
for the year, as the Project scored an individuals that have the passion for start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the
overall Satisfactory rating for its project public service. All of you deserve a 14th WB ISM held from May 23 to
development objectives (PDOs), which salute, a round of applause, for the June 13, 2022 served as a venue for
was reported during the Wrap-Up safe and smooth conduct of our hybrid consultations, discussions, workshops,
Meeting of the recently concluded 14th 145h World Bank Implementation and action planning from the DA-PRDP
World Bank Implementation Support Support Mission,” Usec. Cayanan National Project Coordination Office
Mission (WB ISM) to the DA-PRDP on expressed. (NPCO), Project Support Offices (PSOs),
June 13, 2022. and Regional Project Coordination
WB Task Team Leader Eli Weiss Offices (RPCOs).
DA-PRDP National Project Director presented the 14th WB ISM Aide
Undersecretary Ariel T. Cayanan Memoire that included the Project’s From May 31 to June 13, the DA-PRDP
commended the PRDP family for their overall rating, which covers PDOs and WB Task Team formally conducted
commitment and hardwork in the last Global Environment Objective, Overall actual site visits to select subprojects
three weeks, having pulled off a well- Implementation Progress, Project in North and South Luzon, with
planned 14th WB-ISM. Management, Procurement, Financial activities that ranged from subproject
Management, Monitoring, Evaluation assessment, dialogue with Local
“I tip my hat off to the men and women and Management Information System Government Units (LGUs), Proponent
of the DA-PRDP. Again, you continue (MIS). Groups (PGs), project beneficiaries,
discussions with contractors, and
presentations from the PSO North and
South Luzon clusters. DA-PRDP NPCO
INFOACE UNIT

Initial steps commenced for Hog VCA development

The Department of Agriculture suppliers, traders, and other industry the Hog VCA was initiated upon the
- Philippine Rural Development players were employed to gather request of various LGUs in CAR for
Project (DA-PRDP) Regional Project information on their practices. farmer groups to be able to propose
Coordination Office-CAR (RPCO-CAR) subprojects in support to the hog
formally started the data gathering The respondents come from the top industry.
activities for the development of the three hog-producing municipalities
Hog Value Chain Analysis (VCA). identified in coordination with the The data gathered will form part of
DA-CAR Livestock Program and with the cluster-wide (Regions 1, 2, 3 and
Held from March 22-24 and March 29- the provincial/municipal Livestock Cordillera Administrative Region)
31 in Mountain Province and Benguet Coordinators. hog VCA, which will be the basis of
respectively, guided surveys, key interventions to be included in the
informant interviews, and focus group RPCO-CAR Planning Officer Arnel Provincial Commodity Investment Plan
discussions with hog raisers, input Gagujas said the development of (PCIPs) of the LGUs.

6 PRDPinFOCUS CAR | J a n u a r y - J u n e 2 0 2 2

To be able to plan for a more climate-
resilient agriculture and fishery sector,
the Department of Agriculture -
Philippine Rural Development Project
(DA-PRDP) rolled out the integration of
climate and other risk considerations
into the Commodity System
Investment Planning (CSIP) Process to
the Provincial Local Government Units
(LGUs) of the Cordillera Administrative
Region (CAR) from June 15-17, 2022 in
Baguio City.

Provincial planners, agriculturists, Regional Project Coordination Office-CAR (RPCO-CAR) I-PLAN Component Head Dr. Susan
and risk reduction management D. Balanza welcomes the participants of the I-PLAN enhanced Operations Manual (eOM) on
officers were oriented on the new June 15, 2022 in Baguio City.
features of the I-PLAN Operations
Manual, specifically on the enhanced DA-PRDP rolls out integration of
CsIP process, and capacitated them climate considerations
to formulate multi-risk resilient into CIPs in CAR
investment plans guided by the
enhanced OM (eOM). the other tools that were introduced, Analyses (VCA) and the PCIPs through
especially in identifying interventions in the PRDP have contributed to the
New planning tools relevant to the each of the value chain segments. overall DA planning, operations and
integration of climate considerations guidelines.
were also introduced to the Dr. Balanza added that the enhanced
participants, such as the Climate- investment planning tools will allow
Risk Vulnerability Assessment (CRVA), the PCIPs to be aligned to the
Multi-risk Assessment, Integrated National Agriculture and Fisheries
Spatial Planning, and Social and Modernization and Industrialization
Environmental Safeguards (SES) early Plan (NAFMIP) – a policy-and-strategy-
screening. oriented plan that will serve as the
sectoral guide for other agriculture
As part of the orientation, Dr. and fisheries (A&F) development
Lynn J. Talkasen from the Benguet plans, sector-wide goals, outcomes,
State University’s (BSU) Center for and outputs towards a transformative
Geoinformatics discussed the Climate- sector growth.
Risk Vulnerability Assessment (CRVA), a
comprehensive assessment framework Other discussions included the existing
for vulnerability assessments linked efforts in support to the CsIP process,
to climate risks, which will be used revisiting the interim approach to PCIP
to update/enhance the Provincial updating, and accessing the planner’s
Commodity Investment Plans (PCIPs). portal through the official DA-PRDP
website (prdp.da.gov.ph).
Dr. Talkasen discussed the CRVA
process, as well as the indicators The participants expressed their Dr. Lynn J. Talkasen from the Benguet State
and the scoring behind qualitative support to the scaling up of the PCIP University's Geoinformatics Unit, presents
levels of vulnerability to climate risks to be part of the regional plan by the climate risk vulnerability assessment
of commodities in the provinces using the multi-commodity and inter- approach to the participants of the
of Benguet, Kalinga and Mountain provincial planning approach. They orientation activity.
Province. As for the other provinces, also appreciated how the Value Chain
she said that the CRVA for Apayao will
be available for use by July, while the
CRVA for the provinces of Ifugao and
Abra are yet to launch.

DA-PRDP Regional Project
Coordination Office (RPCO) CAR I-PLAN
Component Head Dr. Susan D. Balanza
said that they should also consider

PRDPinFOCUS CAR | J a n u a r y - J u n e 2 0 2 2 7

“One procurement run is better than
doubling it and in the end; the longer it
takes to procure, the longer time spent
for the project benefits to trickle down
to the beneficiaries,” Atty. Dawayan
said.

As part of the training, the participants
also had a hands-on workshop on
PBD timeline setting and evaluating
bid documents. The workshop outputs
were presented by the participants
and reviewed by the RPCO-CAR
Procurement Unit.

RPCO-CAR I-SUPPORT Component Head and Procurement Unit Head Atty. Jennilyn M. The training activity also included
Dawayan spearheads the conduct of the Procurement Training for LGU Aguinaldo. discussions on the Implementation
and Management Agreement (IMA),
LGU Aguinaldo prepped for road Social and Environmental Safeguards
project bidding (SES) requirements, geotagging
tools relative to procurement and
After receiving the green light from the including the preparation of Bid contract implementation, and I-BUILD
Department of Agriculture - Philippine Evaluation Report (BER) and the post Implementation Process Flow.
Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) qualification process, the roles and
for the bidding of the proposed responsibilities in the procurement LGU Aguinaldo BAC Chair Glenn A.
improvement of Ubao-Manaot Farm- process, PhilGEPS posting for Works, Lamag expressed his gratitude to the
to-Market Road (FMR), the Municipal and the common causes of rebidding. RPCO-CAR for conducting a training to
Local Government Unit (MLGU) of prepare them in the bidding process.
Aguinaldo, Ifugao was trained on World DA-CAR RTD for Research and
Bank Procurement Guidelines from Regulations and RPCO-CAR “There are various amendments to the
March 23-24, 2022 in Baguio City. Procurement Head Atty. Jennilyn R.A. 9184 and we really appreciate the
M. Dawayan said that the training conduct of this training and workshop
Facilitated by the Regional Project provided is to ensure their capacity to to enhance our knowledge on
Coordination Office-CAR (RPCO-CAR) complete the bidding process, as it is procurement,” Lamag added.
Procurement Unit, the participants significant to shift from transactional to
were oriented on the Harmonized strategic procurement, showing them The proposed improvement of Ubao-
Philippine Bidding Documents (Works) the common procurement faults so Manaot FMR was formally issued with
5th Edition checklist requirements, they get to move to act against it. a No Objection Letter 1 (NOL1) on
February 16, 2022, which allowed the
proponent LGU to proceed with the
bidding process.

Members of the LGU Aguinaldo Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) and A portion of the proposed improvement of Ubao-Manaot
Technical Working Group (TWG) completes their hands-on workshop on the Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) subproject in the municipality
preparation of Bid Documents. of Aguinaldo, Ifugao.

8 PRDPinFOCUS CAR | J a n u a r y - J u n e 2 0 2 2

As part of the monitoring activities
of the Department of Agriculture
- CAR (DA-CAR) and the Philippine
Rural Development Project (PRDP)
to ensure proponent compliance
on the maintenance of completed
subprojects, an audit was conducted
by the DA-Regional Operations and
Maintenance Audit Team (ROMAT)
from May 18-19, 2022.

Using the Operations and Maintenance The Department of Agriculture - CAR's Regional Operations and Maintenance Team (ROMAT)
Audit System (OMAS), the ROMAT visits the completed infrastructure facilities in Apayao implemented under the DA-PRDP as
focused on identifying the strategies part of the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) audit activity.
and initiatives employed by the
implementing Local Government Unit Proponent activities to ensure
(LGU) and Proponent Group (PG), in sustainability of infra subprojects
order to maintain the subprojects’ in Apayao monitored
quality and condition, ensuring
progress to farmers and residents. transactions at the warehouses. Since recommendations from the Operations
The ROMAT regularly monitors the facilities are currently being used and Maintenance Audit activities
infrastructure subprojects every six (6) by farmers for free, the ROMAT also conducted.
months after completion. recommended crafting policies for
the warehouse management, and the The objectives of the activity and
Among the subprojects assessed collection of a minimal storage fee that the importance of Operations and
include the six (6) warehouse will be intended for utility services and Maintenance for DA-PRDP-funded
facilities located in the municipalities maintenance. infrastructure subprojects, including
of Conner, Kabugao, Pudtol, Sta. the roles and responsibilities of the
Marcela, Flora, and Luna, including Meanwhile, the completed LGU, PG, and the community in terms
the consolidation and trading centers consolidation and trading centers of operations and maintenance,
in support to the operations of the that are being managed by the management and functionality were
Banana Consolidation and Marketing Calaoan Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries stressed.
enterprises located in Conner and Cooperative in Conner and by the Flora
Flora. Multipurpose Cooperative in Flora Apayao Governor Eleanor C. Begtang-
were also monitored and assessed. Bulut expressed her gratitude to
The warehouse facilities are now These facilities were proposed to the team for the fruitful conduct of
being used by farmers to store their support the operations of their the monitoring activity, and likewise
agricultural produce such as rice, enterprise subprojects on Banana thanked the DA-PRDP for the
corn, banana, and rice seeds, as well Cardava Consolidation and Marketing. successful implementation of the
as farm machineries and hauling other ongoing and recently completed
trucks that are being used by Farmer Brief dialogs on the findings and infrastructure and enterprise
Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs). recommendations for the maintenance subprojects in the province.
These warehouse subprojects were and sustainability of the facilities were
already turned over by the PLGU of held with the PGs of the enterprise Based on the DA-PRDP’s guidelines,
Apayao to the Municipal LGUs for subprojects and also with the Barangay as stipulated in the Implementing
co-management, operations and LGUs where the warehouses are Management Agreement (IMA)
maintenance. situated. between the DA-PRDP and the
LGU, the LGU is responsible for
According to the Apayao Provincial An exit meeting was also held with the operations and maintenance
Office of Agricultural Services, the members of the Provincial Project of completed DA-PRDP-funded
Memorandum of Agreements were Management and Implementing Unit subprojects for at least 10 years.
already signed between the PLGU (PPMIU) to discuss overall findings and
and the MLGUs, and the Operations
Manual for each facility are now being
developed.

The ROMAT recommended the
establishment of dividers to segregate
agricultural items from non-agricultural
items, and the proper recording of

PRDPinFOCUS CAR | J a n u a r y - J u n e 2 0 2 2 9

DA-PRDP Regional Project Coordination
Office-CAR (RPCO-CAR) I-REAP
Component Head Jocelyn W. Beray
also expressed her compliments to
the MLGU and to the SRT La Trinidad
Cooperative of Benguet for their
efforts, patience, and sacrifices, which
led to the completion of the enterprise
subproject.

She further emphasized the
importance of partnership with
key stakeholders in achieving the
ultimate goal of their enterprise, as
she shared that the DA has several
other programs/services of which the
cooperative can avail.

La Trinidad Mayor Romeo K. Salda together with I-REAP Component Head Jocelyn W. Beray, Likewise, DA-PRDP RPCO-CAR I-BUILD
I-BUILD Component Head Engr. Gaston B. Cael, and SRT La Trinidad Cooperative of Benguet Component Head Engr. Gaston B. Cael
BOD Chair Freddie Langpawen leads the ribbon cutting rites during the turnover ceremony challenged the cooperative to review
held on January 11, 2022. their Business Plan, as they are now
going to fully operate their enterprise
La Trinidad Cooperative unveils subproject.
new greenhouse for potato tuberlets
production “You carefully planned for this
enterprise subproject, you developed
The operation of the Potato Tuberlets “Once you start operating your your business plan; and the challenge
Production and Marketing Enterprise business, your focus should not solely now is for you to reach your objectives
of the SRT La Trinidad Cooperative of be on the financial aspect but the in actual,” Engr. Cael expressed.
Benguet is expected to be in full swing, quality service that you are going to
with the completion of their PhP4.1 give to the beneficiaries,” added Mayor On behalf of the cooperative, BOD
million worth greenhouse with storage Salda. Chair Freddie Langpaoen expressed
that was officially turned over on his gratefulness to the DA-PRDP,
January 11, 2022. Mayor Salda also commended the MLGU, the contractor, and the
everyone who took part in the members of the cooperative, for their
Implemented under the Department completion of the subproject. contributions from the preparation
of Agriculture - Philippine Rural stage up to the approval and
Development Project (DA-PRDP) and Aside from the greenhouse structure, implementation. He also thanked
the Municipal Local Government of several farm equipment, supplies, the BSU-NPRCRTC for providing the
La Trinidad, the enterprise aims to a delivery truck, and a working necessary technical assistance for their
produce clean and quality potato capital were earlier turned over enterprise.
planting materials and make it to the cooperative in March 2021.
accessible to farmers. The cooperative also partnered “We will strive to implement this
with the Northern Philippine Root enterprise for it to flourish and
In his message, La Trinidad Mayor Crops Research and Training Center ultimately benefit everyone,” said
Romeo K. Salda said that farmers need (NPRCRTC) of the Benguet State Langpaoen.
not to rely on imported potato planting University (BSU) for a technology
materials because of the development transfer project on the propagation of The PhP12.28 million-worth Potato
of these facilities. quality planting materials. Tuberlets Production and Marketing
Enterprise subproject of the SRT
Cooperative is shared by the World
Bank (60% loan proceeds), the national
government through the DA (20%),
the municipal local government of La
Trinidad (20%), and another 20 percent
PG equity (in cash/kind).

10 PRDPinFOCUS CAR | J a n u a r y - J u n e 2 0 2 2

GAP for quality coffee production strengthens PGs
in Benguet

The training series on Good
Agricultural Practices (GAP) for quality
coffee production of specialty arabica
was continued in two batches for
the Proponent Groups (PGs) of the
Benguet Arabica Coffee Enterprise
(BACE), a subproject implemented
under the Department of Agriculture-
Philippine Rural Development Project
(DA-PRDP) and the Provincial LGU of
Benguet.

Held from June 14-16 and June 21-23, Coffee grower members of the Benguet Arabica Coffee Enterprise (BACE) Proonent Groups
the farm-to-cup coffee learning was (PGs) sorts coffee green beans while identifying coffee deffects during the GAP Training for
conducted in partnership with the Specialty Arabica Coffee.
Agricultural Cooperative Development
International/Volunteers in Overseas following modules were discussed: A bonus topic on the preparation
Cooperative Assistance (ACDI/VOCA) coffee establishment care and of biological control agent such as
– Philippine Coffee Advancement and maintenance; plant nutrition/ the Beauveria Bassiana and the
Farmers Enterprise (PhilCAFE) Project fertilization; integrated pest and preparation of Coffee Berry Borer
and the Philippine Coffee Guild-Coffee disease management; pruning and (CBB) trap were also demonstrated
Collective of the Philippines (PCG-CCP), rejuvenation; farm planning; proper by PhilCAFE Project Senior Field
to develop the knowledge and skills of coffee harvesting and characterization; Technician Razul Dakiwas, PhilCAFE
the PGs on proper coffee production coffee postharvest processing Coffee Mentor Brian Mendoza, and
management protocols to improve methods; and green bean grading and DA-RFO-CAR Integrated Laboratories
coffee quality and produce higher cupping. Division (ILD) Agriculturist Allan
incomes. Cadiente.
The discussions were complemented
Additionally, the GAP training with field practicums and actual In the non-availability of the PCG-
intends to introduce and cascade demonstrations particularly on field lay- CCP, the coffee cupping and sensory
the Coffee Mentorship strategy of outing and planning, planting of coffee exercises were then facilitated by the
the PhilCAFE to the PGs in order to seedlings, care and maintenance, Cordillera Quality Coffee Association
achieve a wider reach of farmers pruning and rejuvenation, green bean (CQCA) led by its President Ollie Thor
in the use of appropriate practices; grading, and cupping. Fonite. The activity was intended for
provide an experimental method the participants to appreciate the
of learning and adoption of farming Following the GAP on planting coffee cupping process and expound their
practices and technology for coffee seedlings, the trainees planted more knowledge on the cup taste and quality
farmer beneficiaries and project than 20 arabica coffee seedlings at a of coffee from various areas.
implementers; and capacitate the coffee farm located in barangay Shilan,
farmers to qualify and enter local/ La Trinidad, Benguet (for Batch 1) and The second phase of the GAP training
international coffee competition to add at the DA-Baguio Animal Breeding and which will focus on hands-on proper
more value for their coffee beans. Research Center (BABRC) in Baguio City coffee harvesting and processing
(for Batch 2). methods, is scheduled to be conducted
In his message, DA-PRDP National on November 2022.
Project Director Undersecretary Ariel
T. Cayanan said that the partnership
between the PCG-CCP and ACDI/VOCA-
PhilCAFE Project intends to increase
coffee production through capacity
building activities that will improve
productivity and yield higher incomes
for coffee farmer beneficiaries.

As part of the training program, the

PRDPinFOCUS CAR | J a n u a r y - J u n e 2 0 2 2 11

220,000 kilograms in the span of 10
years; increase farmer income by 5%
on the first year; increase income of
the cooperative by 100% until the
10th year; increase RTFC members
by at least 2% every year; and create
employment.

For the enhancement of their
processing business, the RTFC received
a total of PhP12.49 million enterprise
support from the DA-PRDP, shared
by the World Bank (60%), the DA
(20%), and the Ifugao Provincial Local
Government (20%). As the Proponent
Group (PG), the RTFC contributed a
20% counterpart in cash and in kind,
amounting to PhP2.18 million.

Ifugao Sangguiniang Panlalawigan (SP) Member Agustin Calyaen representing Governor DA-CAR Regional Technical Director
Jerry U. Dalipog, leads the ribbon cutting rites together with Banaue Mayor Dr. John Wesley Atty. Jennilyn M. Dawayan, representing
Dulawan, DA-CAR Regional Technical Director Atty. Jennilyn M. Dawayan representing DA-CAR OIC-Regional Executive
OIC-Regional Executive Director Cameron P. Odsey, DA-PRDP Project Support Office (PSO) Director and RPCO-CAR Project
North Luzon Deputy Project Director Elma S. Mananes, Provincial Project Management Director Cameron P. Odsey, urged the
and Implementing Unit (PPMIU) Head Engr. Carmelita Buyuccan, and RPCO-CAR I-REAP RTFC members and officers to sustain
Component Head Jocelyn W. Beray, during the turnover of the RTFC's Heirloom Rice Center. the production of heirloom rice and
take care of it and the culture behind.

RTFC’s heirloom rice biz enhanced “Our heirloom rice is a premium rice
through DA-PRDP support with cultural value so let us not forget
the culture that has been handed to us
by our ancestors in producing heirloom
rice throughout the generations,” Atty.
Dawayan said.

Full operation of the enhanced compliance with the requirements of By going through the implementation
heirloom rice processing business the DA-PRDP. process of the DA-PRDP, Atty. Dawayan
of the Rice Terraces Farmers’ “We have been beneficiaries of several added that the cooperative has learned
Cooperative (RTFC) is now in full swing foreign-funded projects in the past, so to become more data-driven, which
with the completion and turnover of we know that the requirements are not can be beneficial in terms of how they
their enterprise subproject on the easy especially for the LGU,” Calya-en are going to operate the center. She
processing and marketing of quality said. further commended the cooperative
export Ifugao heirloom rice, held for gathering and properly utilizing
on February 11, 2022, at Amganad, Calya-en added that despite having data in seeking assistance from various
Banaue Ifugao. implemented under three (3) LGUs, programs/agencies.
the importance of the continuity of
The newly constructed Ifugao Heirloom efforts towards the collective well-being DA-PRDP Project Support Office (PSO)
Rice Consolidation, Processing, and happiness of Ifugaos must be North Luzon Cluster Deputy Project
and Marketing Center along with a sustained, which falls in line as one of Director Elma S. Mananes said that
trading capital and several processing the province's missions. along with the upgrades, the income of
machineries turned over to the RTFC as the farmers must also be prioritized in
part of their enterprise. The RTFC’s enterprise subproject order for more beneficiaries.
aims to improve the socio-economic
During the turnover ceremony, status of its farmer-members while As he accepted the completed
Ifugao Sangguniang Panlalawigan empowering the heirloom rice subproject on behalf of the members
(SP) Member Agustin C. Calya-en, industry. Through the enterprise, RTFC and officers of the RTFC, RTFC Manager
representing Ifugao Governor Jerry U. intends to increase total heirloom Jimmy G. Lingayo recalled how it
Dalipog, commended the efforts of rice production from its farmer- took years to finally complete the
the RTFC and everyone involved, for its members from 42,930 kilograms to subproject, from a series of Business

12 PRDPinFOCUS CAR | J a n u a r y - J u n e 2 0 2 2

Plan preparation workshops, going
through the procurement process,
two site relocations, and up to the
construction of the processing facility.
“We started the export business 10
years ago and we plan to export a total
of 450 Metric Tons of Heirloom Rice
to the US and another 200 MT for the
local market,” Lingayo added.

He further encouraged the RTFC Kalinga Governor Ferdinand B. Tubban leads the groundbreaking ceremony for the
members who were present during the improvement of the Banneng-Darulog-Bawac Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) subproject on April
turnover to continuously bring their 22, 2022.
heirloom rice produce to the RTFC, and
encourage other farmers to increase
and sustain their production, for their
hard work will surely not go to waste.

During the turnover, the attendees Kalinga breaks ground for new
were able to have a tour of the three- DA-PRDP farm road project
story processing center that will be
used to process, store, and market the
heirloom rice produce of the RTFC.

According to Lingayo, the top floor The road to development continues within its influence area.
(road level) will serve as a Pasalubong in Tanudan, Kalinga, as the
Center, where several local products Department of Agriculture-Philippine In his message, Kalinga Governor
produced by RTFC members such as Rural Development Project (DA- Engineer Ferdinand B. Tubban
heirloom rice, rice wine, rice cookies, PRDP), together with the provincial challenged the involvement of
coffee, ginger and turmeric tea, and government of Kalinga, officially broke the community in overseeing the
some kitchen woodworks will be sold. ground the Improvement of Banneng- implementation of the FMR subproject.
Darulog-Bawac Farm-to-Market Road
Among the Cordillera provinces, (FMR) on April 22, 2022. “Dawatek metlaeng dagiti umili nga
Ifugao has the largest area planted dakayo iti mangbantay ta dakayu iti
with heirloom rice varieties at 5,141 The 6.168-km FMR, with a cost of kangkangrunaan nga makakita iti
hectares. Additionally, Ifugao is the top PhP138.62 million, will cover barangay panaka aramid na. Ket nu ada dagiti
producer of aromatic and pigmented Callaccad in Tabuk City, and barangays makita yu nga concerns maipanggep
rice with the municipalities of Mayoyao, Dupligan and Lay-asan in the iti panaka implementar na, panga-asi
Banaue, Hungduan, and Aguinaldo as municipality of Tanudan. It is expected yu ta idanun yu kini kapitan, wenno
the top producing areas. to benefit around 479 households kanyami idjay probinsya tapnu iti kasta
ket maikan tayo ti na-an anay nga
solusyon na,” Governor Tubban said.

He further expressed his gratitude
to the project affected persons for
consenting their properties that will be
affected in the road improvement.

Representing DA-CAR Regional
Executive Director Cameron P.
Odsey, DA-CAR Information Officer
Jovelyn Valenciano lauded the
province of Kalinga for having been a
commendable implementer of DA-
PRDP subprojects.

The RTFC utilizes the three-storey heirloom rice center to process, store, consoldiate, dry and The FMR subproject is expected to
display their heirloom rice products as well as other products produced by its members such be physically completed in 313 days,
as wood carvings and other food products like coffee, ginger/turmeric tea, and fruit wine. ushering in development in terms of
livelihood, health, and education.

PRDPinFOCUS CAR | J a n u a r y - J u n e 2 0 2 2 13

Newly opened FMR
in Banaue
now complete

Renewed hope for progress is ready For so many years, residents of these
to benefit farmers in the farthest barangays have been trekking to and
barangays of Banaue, Ifugao, as a from their farms/houses, as there
newly opened Farm-to-Market Road was zero road access connecting the
(FMR) is now 100% complete. barangays, especially barangay Banao.

Implemented under the Department With the road opening, the access
of Agriculture – Philippine Rural road for the residents of Banao is now
Development Project (DA-PRDP), closer than before.
together with the Municipal Local
Government Unit of Banaue, the Nelson Dogwe, a farmer from Barangay
completed Anaba-Ducligan-Banao Ducligan, is tilling a land near the FMR
FMR, which spans eight (8) kilometers subproject and according to him, the
with a 20-meter bridge, was proposed opening of the road has brought a lot
with the primary aim of improving the of benefits to Ducligan residents, who
living conditions of the populace of owns agricultural lands along the area.
barangays Anaba, Ducligan, and Banao.
Muddy trails and rice field dikes served

14 PRDPinFOCUS CAR | J a n u a r y - J u n e 2 0 2 2

PROGRESS PHOTOS

BEFORE AFTER

as pathways for farmers and residents started and especially now that the Implementing Unit (MPMIU) of LGU
to reach the nearest access road, the road is completed where we can reach Banaue.
Banaue-Mayoyao-Aguinaldo National the center market area in less than 30
Road, and because of the road minutes,” added Dulnuan. Though the subproject was declared
construction, they can now travel to as 100% physically completed, the
and from their houses or farms safely Formally completed on April 25, 2022, contractor still needs to rectify the
and in a shorter period of time. the PhP245.64 million FMR subproject defects that were identified during the
is now benefiting more than 275 final inspection prior to turnover.
Elizabeth Dulnuan, another farmer households within its influence area.
beneficiary from Barangay Anaba, Meanwhile, the construction of more
also shared the road construction A final inspection was conducted slope protection structures and guard
made them closer to the market area on May 11, 2022, by a joint team rails, including the establishment
in Banaue, which is a safer and faster composed of representatives from of additional warning signs among
route, as compared to the muddy trails the national, north Luzon cluster, other side structures/ maintenance
and dikes that they used to trek. and regional levels of the DA-PRDP, initiatives, will be included in the LGU’s
together with representatives from Operations and Maintenance (O&M)
“We were motivated to cultivate our the Alfalfa Construction and from the Plan for the FMR.
lands when the road construction Municipal Project Management and

PRDPinFOCUS CAR | J a n u a r y - J u n e 2 0 2 2 15

New completed
FMR seen to drive
agri growth
in Flora

Residents from the far-off barangays of within its road influence area. It covers
Flora, Apayao are now starting to reap three barangays, namely, Sta. Maria,
the benefits of the improved Sta. Maria- Mallig, and Upper Atok, where bulk of
Mallig-Upper Atok Farm-to-Market the municipality’s banana production
Road (FMR). comes from.

Implemented under the Department Apayao Provincial Agriculturist
of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Prudencio G. Bosing said that the
Development Project (DA-PRDP) and road improvement has facilitated
the Provincial Local Government Uni the movement of commodities that
t(PLGU) of Apayao, the 11.8-kilometer are produced within the project
road project attained a 100% physical area, particularly banana, since the
accomplishment rate today, June municipality of Flora is where large
30, 2022, according to the Joint plantations of banana can be found.
Inspectorate Team (JIT).
Before the road improvement, sledge
With its completion, the FMR is now carts and carabaos are mostly used
benefitting more than 298 households by farmers in transporting their

16 PRDPinFOCUS CAR | J a n u a r y - J u n e 2 0 2 2

PROGRESS PHOTOS

BEFORE AFTER

agricultural produce from their farms/ “This PRDP road in Flora has really To ensure the smooth completion
residences to the nearest public utility helped us in our efforts to end local of the FMR, a final inspection was
transport post located at barangay insurgency and because of this road, conducted from June 22-23, 2022, by
Sta. Maria. Now, private vehicles and more than 200 leftists in barangay the JIT composed of representatives
motorcycles can now safely pass Upper Atok have surrendered from the cluster and regional levels
through the road without hassle. recently,” Governor Begtang-Bulut said. of the DA-PRDP, together with
representatives from the Goldrich
Despite the improvement, the Approved in October 2020, to develop Construction and Trading and from the
barangays covered by the FMR are the banana industry in the province, PPMIU of LGU Apayao.
besieged by the local insurgency, the PhP195.95-million worth FMR is
particularly Upper Atok and parts of shared by the World Bank (80% loan
Mallig. With the infrastructure project proceeds), the national government
giving life to the community, current through the DA (10%), and the PLGU of
Apayao Governor and Congresswoman Apayao (10%).
Eleanor C. Begtang-Bulut reported
that several rebels have already
yielded for a chance at more livelihood
opportunities.

PRDPinFOCUS CAR | J a n u a r y - J u n e 2 0 2 2 17

ILLUSTRATION BY ANA VICTORIA MARGALLO
WRITTEN BY ERICSON GUIAO

18 PRDPinFOCUS CAR | J a n u a r y - J u n e 2 0 2 2

" We are grateful to the World Bank, the DA-PRDP,
and to the local government of Ifugao for helping
our members, our business, and the cooperative. You
are one of the valued partners of the cooperative in
achieving our goals to help improve the quality of life

of our members.

- Shirley U. Tagtag

Serving as the manager of the HOJAP Multi-Purpose With the assistance of the local government unit of
Cooperative (HMPC) for nine years, Ms. Shirley Ifugao, Tagtag explored the possibility of securing
U. Tagtag, together with the hardworking farmer- support from the Department of Agriculture –
members, is one of the people behind the growing Philippine Rural Development Project. As a result
success of the cooperative in the coffee industry in of thorough technical reviews, business planning
Asipulo, Ifugao. and compliance with required documents, through
the I-REAP Component of the DA-PRDP, HMPC
After venturing into the coffee business in 2009 was given an enterprise subproject called Ifugao
and starting its regular coffee production in 2014, Coffee Processing and Marketing Enterprise
the cooperative has grown to become one of the (ICPME), which is a consolidation, marketing and
leading coffee producers in Ifugao. With this, Ms. processing business for appropriately classified
Tagtag envisioned their locally produced high-quality and sorted Robusta coffee green beans according
coffee products to be widely known not only in to PNS standards to meet the demand of growing
the province but in the entire country in pursuit of specialty coffee shops and other local institutional
providing higher income and better quality of life to buyers. This 13.98M-worth of subproject aided the
the cooperatives’ members. cooperative to stay afloat and continue operating
even during the height of the pandemic.
Tagtag led the cooperative in linking arms with
various government and non-government groups With her passion and dedication to work backed
and organizations to provide its members with with support from PRDP, HMPC Manager Tagtag
essential knowledge through trainings in coffee is making a difference in the lives of the 1,478
processing and production as well as to acquire members of the cooperative, a huge number of
opportunities in broadening the market reach which is composed of women participating in
of HMPC to promote HOJAP Kesi’melan Coffee harvesting, drying and sorting of coffee beans.
products of premium Robusta green beans, Robusta
roasted beans, and Arabica and Robusta blends.

2022 NATIONAL WOMEN'S MONTH CELEBRATION

WE make CHANGE
Work for WOMEN

PRDPinFOCUS CAR | J a n u a r y - J u n e 2 0 2 2 19

VOICES &

Susan Guinoran

BOD Chairperson, Bashoy Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative
Kabayan, Benguet
Dakel ti naitulong na jay swine raising project para iti members mi ta ada ti nangalaan da ti nagpuunan da ken naka ganansya
da metlang. Nanayunan met ti services mi ditoy coop ket mas nakatulong kami pay kadagiti myembro mi. Ada tattan ti tallo
nga swine breeders mi ket tapnu agtuloy-tuloy, aw-awisen mi ladta dagiti daduma nga members mi nga ag breed ti baboy
tapnu ada as asideg nga pangalaan ti stocks.

(Our swine raising enterprise helped us a lot because it provided our members with capital and a better income. We were able to offer
more services at the cooperative to help the members in need. To date, we already have three of our members who went into swine
breeding and we are continuously encouraging our swine raiser members to engage into swine production.)

Roselyn Sagandoy

Member, Kavining-an Livelihood Association
Bontoc, Mountain Province

Gapu iti project ti asosasyon mi iti baboy, nanayunan ti nagpuhunan mi ket nanayunan met ti income mi nga mang suporta
iti pamilya mi. Manipod idi naikan kami ti project, tuloy tuloy nga pagrikrikusen mi jay income mi ti panagbaboy.

(Because of the project of our association on swine fattening, we were able to have a bigger capital and an increased income to
support our family. Since the proejct came, we have been continuously revolving our capital to sustain our small swine fattening

business.)

20 PRDPinFOCUS CAR | J a n u a r y - J u n e 2 0 2 2

& VIEWS

Esteban Balanoy

Punong Barangay
EKB, Kabugao, Apayao

Awan ti usto nga pag urnongan mi ti irik ket haan kami met makabilag idjay igid kalsada ta pangtutudo. Uray idi maar-aramid
paylang daytoy warehouse ket intulok dakamin nga mang usar jay maysa nga side na ta pirmi nga mabasa. Tadta nga nalpas
daytoy warehouse, agyaman kami ta mabalin min nga usaren nga pag imbakan iti produkto mi ken dagiti equipment nga us-
usaren ti farmers kas kuma iti threshers, tractors, ken daduma pay.

(We do not have a spacious area to store our unhusked rice during harvest season. We cannot even dry it along the highway because of
the rainy season. Fortunately, they allowed us before to use a portion of the warehouse even if it was still undergoing construction. Now
that it is completed, we are very thankful because we can now maximize its use to store more of our harvests including farm machineries

and equipmetn such as threshers, tractors which are being ued by farmers in our barangay.)

Adeline Fangayen

Member, Sagada Arabica Coffee Growers and Processors Organization
Sagada, Mountain Province

I planted more than a hundred coffee seedlings years back, but nothing survived because I did not know the proper technologies
in coffee farm management. Despite what happened, I still pushed through with coffee farming until I learned about the
SACGPO and decided to join them. I have two coffee production areas now, and these farms are the fruit of my learnings when I
became a member of SACGPO. I participated in trainings and I learned to manage my coffee farm properly from seed to cup.

PRDPinFOCUS CAR | J a n u a r y - J u n e 2 0 2 2 21

Sagada Gold,
a roast to boast

Over the past few While the coffee stayed consistent, what we might have done wrong along
years, local coffee it stayed too consistent. Coffee the postharvest process,” said Doga-
roasters have been production was there, still waiting for a ong. They later found that it was their
steadily working to spotlight on a bigger market. New and harvesting method which affected the
improve the cup quality old ways of coffee farming had to meet cup taste of their coffee.
of their coffee, like halfway and merge for something new.
the Sagada Arabica Another coffee farmer from Sagada,
Coffee Growers and In its quest to foster coffee quality Adeline Fangayen also expressed that
Processors Organization to meet international standards and she planted more than a hundred
(SACGPO) in Sagada, widen its market base, the SACGPO coffee seedlings years back, but
Mountain Province, linked arms with various government nothing survived because of her lack of
now also known as the and private organizations like the knowledge on the proper technologies
Sagada Gold Roasterie. Department of Agriculture – Philippine in coffee farm management.
Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP),
which provided enterprise support for “Despite what happened, I still wanted
their arabica coffee production and to push through with coffee farming
processing with cupping laboratory. until I learned about the SACGPO
and decided to join them,” expressed
Synergy came about, as technology Fangayen.
transfer trainings were gradually
introduced to coffee growers. Founded in 2006, the SACGPO was an
offshoot of the Sagada Arabica Coffee
For instance, Benita Doga-ong, a Council (SACC) that was established
56-year-old coffee farmer from to uplift the coffee industry in Sagada.
Bangaan, Sagada, Mountain Province From an initial membership of 15,
who learned to unlearn old practices, is SACGPO’s success in venturing
now on a pursuit for innovative ways of into coffee processing and helping
coffee farming. improve their members’ produce was
a result of convergence among local
“When the coffee we produced was government units, private institutions,
tasted in a coffee cupping activity and government agencies.
facilitated by the SACGPO, the taste
and aroma of our coffee revealed

22 PRDPinFOCUS CAR | J a n u a r y - J u n e 2 0 2 2

Fangayen further shared that she And without the proper processing “The implementation process of the
was able to manage her coffee farm equipment at hand, they employed DA-PRDP is different from all the others
properly through the learnings she traditional methods of processing we’ve experienced from business
acquired from her co-members and coffee – using mortar and pestle in planning until procurement because
from the trainings she attended pulping, drying beans in winnowers we did it ourselves,” said Andawi.
through the organization. under direct sunlight, and roasting
coffee beans in a pan among others. The goods and equipment they
“I have two coffee production areas received were procured by themselves
now, and these farms are the fruit of “We knew that coffee has a great through the Community Force Account
my learnings when I became a member potential but we did not have the mode of procurement.
of SACGPO. I participated in trainings proper processing technologies way
and I learned to manage my coffee back, nor did we have the proper “The process was hard and it was
farm properly from seed to cup,” knowledge in coffee farm management new to us, but we are still willing to go
Fangayen expressed. until assistance started pouring in 2011 through it once more, as we intend
from various government agencies and to propose another project to further
Doga-ong also said that after the coffee private organizations, and the latest is develop our coffee enterprise and
cupping activity, they employed the from the DA-PRDP,” expressed Andawi. make it a world class facility and an
pick ripe method of harvesting and avenue for coffee learning,” expressed
began sorting and segregating coffee SACGPO proposed their micro Andawi.
cherries upon harvest before bringing enterprise subproject on coffee
it to the SACGPO coffee center for processing with cupping laboratory in As part of their enterprise, the SACGPO
processing. 2018 and it was finally completed and also received cupping materials
turned over to them in 2020. worth PhP98,365.00 that helped in
Aroma of hope the profiling of their members’ coffee
Their enterprise subproject involves produce. This includes coffee grinder,
SACGPO Manager Vincent Melchor the upgrading of their existing cupping bowls and spoons, drip kettles,
Andawi recalled that they had a rough processing activities, wherein new induction electric stove, weighing scale,
start having obscure knowledge on coffee processing equipment and and mobile stainless cabinet.
coffee and insufficient capital to buy materials amounting to PhP973,300.00
raw materials from coffee farmers. He were provided, including a PhP900, continued on the next page
also admitted that incorrect practices 000.00 trading capital to purchase raw
and improper handling affected the materials in the form of parchment
quality and cup taste of their coffee. coffee beans and green coffee beans.

PRDPinFOCUS CAR | J a n u a r y - J u n e 2 0 2 2 23

Andawi said that some buyers would Andawi shared that they used to The SACGPO still managed to generate
order volumes or packs of coffee, consolidate around 1,000 kilograms PhP1.66 million gross sales in 2020
roasted whole or ground, and require (kg) of coffee parchments and coffee despite the challenges and changes
the flavor notes indicating the taste green beans since they started their caused by the pandemic.
and aroma of their coffee. business over 12 years ago. And in
2019, they were able to buy 4,539.55 In 2021, with the restrictions still in
“The coffee business already reached kg coffee parchment and 681.20 kg place, the organization opted to buy
a high level of competition and without coffee green beans generating a total coffee produce from Sagada coffee
the cupping laboratory equipment and gross sales amounting to PhP2.01 growers only and processed roasted
the help of a certified Q grader, we million. and ground coffee by order.
won’t be able to determine the quality
of our coffee and improve it,” shared “The trading capital we received from Based on their records, they
Andawi. the DA-PRDP in February 2019 has consolidated a total of 2,778 kg coffee
really helped us in our operations for parchments and 462 kg coffee green
In total, the SACGPO received an we can now pay the coffee farmers beans from Sagada coffee growers
enterprise support worth PhP1.97 instantly once they bring their coffee only. They sold more than 2,000
million, shared by the World Bank, produce to the coffee center,” shared packs of roasted and ground coffee
the DA, and the Provincial LGU of Andawi. (250grams and 500 grams) including
Mountain Province. As the Proponent more than 150 kilograms of coffee
Group of the enterprise subproject, the The organization received the rest of parchments and coffee green beans,
organization shelled out a counterpart the trading capital in January 2020 and producing a gross sales amounting to
in kind. were able to buy more raw materials of PhP1.074 million.
around 6,303.95 kg coffee parchments
This and other initiatives gave SACGPO and 652.6 kg coffee green beans. At present, some of the coffee grower
and its members the strength to move However, the trajectory of their sales members of the SACGPO have
forward and strive towards improving record started going downwards as the expanded their production areas and
the quality of their coffee. restrictions were imposed because of all are working diligently to improve
the COVID-19 pandemic. the quality of their produce with the
Bearing fruit support of the organization as well as
“We had the raw materials and sales agricultural technicians from
The coffee season came and went, and are booming at first until the lockdown private and government
each year, the SACGPO’s enterprise was imposed and we lost most of our agencies.
subproject has marked a rising regular buyers from Metro Manila. It
trajectory in their inventory and sales was daunting but we decided to see it
record in 2019 using the first tranche as an opportunity to further improve
of the trading capital they
received from the the production and quality of our
DA-PRDP. coffee here in Sagada,” shared
Andawi.

24 PRDPinFOCUS CAR | J a n u a r y - J u n e 2 0 2 2

Various capability trainings were also " I do not want to say that we have perfected
conducted by the DA-PRDP since the ins and outs of coffee business because we
2020, to improve the organizational
and enterprise operations of SACGPO. still have a long way to go and a lot to learn.
Coffee grower members of the But, I am beyond grateful to everyone who
SACGPO have also participated in provided coffee programs especially that of
technology trainings like the Good the SACGPO's because without your support,
Agricultural Practices (GAP) for
specialty coffee which was held in we would not have reached this level.
partnership with the ACDI/VOCA
PhilCAFE Project and the Coffee
Collective of the Philippines, Inc. –
Philippine Coffee Guild.

While SACGPO’s business is considered - Vincent Andawi
successful in the coffee industry,
Andawi admitted that they are not fully has 22 market outlets/partners within
confident they knew what is necessary Mountain Province including Baguio
on coffee particularly on the technical City, Metro Manila, and in Regions 1,
aspect that is continuously evolving. 2 and 3 and is expected to grow over
They also still need to increase time.
productivity to cope with the increasing
demand for coffee and the competition With new learnings in place, Sagada’s
as well. local coffee industry will shine on a
global scale, producing top-notch
The local coffee industry in Sagada coffee that is definitely a roast to boast.
continues to grow as the coffee
growers adhere to the standards,
technologies, and good agricultural
practices they have acquired and
developed through the years. At

present, the organization

PRDPinFOCUS CAR | J a n u a r y - J u n e 2 0 2 2 25

Aging like
fine swine:

coop raises income through
backyard hog raising

While the trend in the swine industry as Bashoy Farmers Consumers “Narigatan kami idjay proseso ti PRDP
continues to lean towards large farms, Cooperative, but management then karkaro idi damo ngem agpasalamat
there is still a chunk of opportunity for decided to transition into a multi- kami ta ada met dagiti tinmulong from
most of the farmers in the Cordillera purpose cooperative to provide more the PRDP ken LGU,” said Guinoran.
Administrative Region (CAR) via services for their members.
backyard swine raising as a secondary (We struggled with the DA-PRDP
source of income. In 2016, they submitted their eligibility process at first but we are grateful
documents to be able to propose an because there were people from the
Back in 2016, one cooperative enterprise subproject to help their Project and from the LGU who helped
located at Barangay Bashoy, Kabayan, members who suffered major losses us.)
Benguet proposed swine raising as due to Typhoon Lando. With the help
an intervention to their members of the Local Government Unit (LGU) A taste of success
that were greatly affected by Typhoon of Kabayan and the Department
Lando. of Agriculture – Philippine Rural The micro enterprise subproject
Development Project (DA-PRDP), they – BFCC Swine Raising for Typhoon-
For Susan Guinoran, Chairperson of were able to craft their own Business Affected Members, was intended to
the Bashoy Farmers Multi-Purpose Plan, presented it, and formally provide livelihood activities through the
Cooperative (BFMPC), recovery after implemented. provision of 100 piglets for fattening,
suffering heavy losses was of their including feeds, thereby increasing
utmost priority. Guinoran recalled that writing their income by at least 15% in the first
the business proposal, which is a cycle of the subproject.
The BFMPC’s trait of helping others requirement of the DA-PRDP, and
date back 2003, when the association complying with other necessary BFMPC member and beneficiary
was led by an all-women membership documents was really challenging for Gilda Ramos shared that she started
of 30. It became a Rural Improvement them, but they learned the value of her backyard swine raising when
Club (RIC) in 2005, until the decision proper recording and documentation she received the piglets from the
to register as a cooperative in 2019, in of the cooperative’s transactions and cooperative and earned around
order to engage in other ventures. undertakings, should they propose PhP12,000.00 to PhP18,000.00 per
more projects in the future. pig in 2019. She continued to raise
Eventually, it was formerly registered

26 PRDPinFOCUS CAR | J a n u a r y - J u n e 2 0 2 2

another set of piglets in 2021, in which " Being able to help our members to recover
she earned a net income amounting to after experiencing losses due to the typhoon
PhP50, 000.00. that hit us before, mattered more over gaining

Prescilla Guinoran, another member of added profits for the cooperative.
the BFMPC, also shared that the feeds
were inexpensive before, so they had a - Susan Guinoran
better income from swine raising until
the COVID-19 pandemic happened. afford to buy at least four (4) piglets, da ti nagpuunan da ken naka ganansya
This was followed by the African Swine including feeds. da metlang. Nanayunan met ti
Fever (ASF) and all the restrictions services mi ditoy kooperatib ket mas
that limited their movement, so they As the enterprise subproject was nakatulong kami pay kadagiti myembro
decided to stop for a while. given to the cooperative as a grant, mi,” expressed Guinoran.
Guinoran said that they are more
“Nginmato ti feeds itatta ngem determined in helping their members (We are very grateful because our
ikarkarigatan mi ladta nga agtaraken gain more income, as to why they only swine raising enterprise provided our
ti baboy ta ada met ti coop nga collect a small interest income from members with capital and a better
pangibagsakan mi nu awan unay ti the members who availed of the swine income and we were able to offer
gumatang,” Guinoran said. production loan. more services at the cooperative to
help the members in need.)
(Feeds cost much today as compared As of February 2022, the cooperative
before but we still continue with our has accumulated a net income of The BFMPC’s micro enterprise on
swine raising because we know that PhP40,660.00 from the operations of swine raising did not only help their
the cooperative is there to help us sell their swine raising enterprise. members recover from their losses,
our pigs.) but has provided a step towards
The BFMPC currently offers the increasing productivity and income
Like all other areas, some of the following services to their members: among backyard swine raisers in
BFMPC members have stopped raising farm production loan, swine Kabayan.
swine from 2020 to 2021 because of production loan, and regular/
the pandemic and the ASF. However, emergency loans. They have also
there were some who continued and established a satellite consumers store
even went into swine production/ at sitio Babalak, in addition to the main
breeding. store at sitio Lebeng, where they sell
basic household goods including
“Ada tattan ti tallo nga swine breeders some agricultural inputs such
mi nga isu ti as-asideg nga pangalaan as farm tools, fertilizers, and
ti stocks ket tapnu mas agtuloy-tuloy, feeds, among others.
i-encourage mi ladta dagiti daduma
nga swine raiser members mi nga ag Guinoran also shared
breed ti baboy,” Guinoran added. that they also
accommodate the
(We now have three members who pork products
are producing/breeding swine, which of their
serves as the source of piglets here, members to
and as a sustainability initiative of be sold at the
the cooperative. We are continuously cooperative’s
encouraging other swine raiser consumer
members to venture into swine stores.
production/breeding.)
“Agyaman
Before the pandemic, the cooperative kami ta dakel
only collected service fees from the ti naitulong
recipients. However, due to the ASF na jay swine
restrictions, it was hard for source-out raising
piglet suppliers so they shifted to the project para iti
provision of a swine production loan members mi ta
with a 1.5% interest income. With a ada ti nangalaan
maximum swine production loan of
PhP30,000.00, a member can already

Ripe for the Banana farmer brings his
banana produce to CARBC.
taking:

Farmer coop ventures
into cardava banana
enterprise

For the province of Apayao, banana According to Bilan, there were no “Agpayso nga matrabaho ngem at
is just one of the main products that existing consolidation centers for least enjoy ta adu ti naadal mi along
provides livelihood opportunities to cardava banana in the province, which the way haan laeng nga maipanggep
farmers, along with rice, corn, and the relegated farmers to individually sell iti paper works nu di ket pati linkages
seasonal production of coffee, tropical their produce to trader, retailers, ken daduma pay nga maipanggep iti
fruits, and vegetables. assemblers, wholesalers, agents, and/ pagnegosyo ti saba,” said Bilan.
or processers. This tedious process
In recent years, banana production has paved the way for the cooperative to (It’s certainly a lot of work, but it was
been declining due to climate change- work hard to comply with the required enjoyable because we learned a lot
related hazards, but the Calaoan documents for their proposed along the way, not only in terms of
Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi- enterprise. paper works, but also in establishing
Purpose Cooperative (CARB MPC) in linkages and other business-related
Conner, Apayao persisted on uplifting Despite being in the banana business schemes.)
banana by any means. for years, Bilan and the cooperative
had to go through the notions of being Aside from the construction of a
With the bulk of the province’s banana a start-up venture. Regardless, the consolidation center, the cooperative
cardava production coming from the cooperative remained steadfast in received a delivery truck, banana
municipality of Conner, which is the increasing the income of its members trading supplies and materials, and a
top banana producing municipality in from traditional crops, and establish trading capital worth PhP150, 400.00
Apayao, banana is seen as the perfect a common consolidation center for for the purchase of fresh bananas. In
opportunity for growth. banana in Conner. total, the CARB MPC received an invest
cost of PhP9.67 million shared by the
And just at the right time, in 2018, For the CARB MPC, it was now or World Bank loan proceeds (60%), the
CARB MPC Board of Director never, as they pushed forward for the DA (20%) and the PLGU of Apayao
Chairperson Reinier S. Bilan learned approval of their enterprise subproject (20%), including a 20% equity in kind
through his engagements with the on Banana Cardava Production, from the CARB MPC as the Proponent
Office of the Provincial Agriculture Consolidation and Marketing with the Group (PG) of the enterprise
Services about the Department DA-PRDP. subproject.
of Agriculture – Philippine Rural
Development Project (DA-PRDP).

28 PRDPinFOCUS CAR | J a n u a r y - J u n e 2 0 2 2

BaNneialnBFalaruymaenr and Bulacan came in large volumes. consolidation center rather than sell
But the pandemic has affected the it to private traders because of its
" CAReRiBniCerMPS.CBiBlaOnD Chair banana industry as well, which led proximity, but mostly because he’s
to work stoppages, export market being paid instantly.
closures, and low market price since
there are many banana producers in Another banana farmer and a member
the country.) of the coop’s BOD, Jose W. Segundo,
attested that most banana farmers,
Through their enterprise subproject member or not, would bring their
under the DA-PRDP, the CARB MPC produce to the consolidation center
now consolidates the banana produce because it is difficult to look for direct
of its members and non-members, buyers nowadays who will pay them
sorts according to the Philippine instantly unlike before.
National Standards (PNS), and markets
to several local vendors, processors, “Kanya-kanya kami nga mangilaklako
and reitailers/wholesalers. The CARB iti produkto mi nga saba idi ngem
MPC started the operations of their narigrigat tadtan nga agbirok ti direct
enterprise when they received their buyers ken nu private ti pangilakoan
trading capital in September 2021. mi ket baraten da kami pay,” Segundo
said.
Further, Bilan shared that they
experienced difficulties in marketing (We usually sell our banana produce
bananas when they started their individually but it is now difficult to look
operations because he could not for direct buyers and some would even
contact the traders/agents from haggle for a lower price.)
before, (pandemic) and some even
stopped trading banana because of The CARB MPC’s eventual growth has
the current difficulties in the banana led to the additional hiring of staff
business. for the enterprise, and additionally,
shoulder the overall operating
expenses.

It is much better for us to bring our produce here Despite the challenges that the banana
because the buying price is stable and they have industry faces, the CARB MPC still
a capital, unlike private traders who dictate the continues to look for market outlets
price. We do not spend much on transportation and institutions within and outside the
province who will buy their bananas.
because the center is near and we will also receive a
patronage refund at the end of the year. “Tuloy-tuloy kami ladta nga agbirok
ti pangilakoan mi ta weekly nga ada
- Neil Baluyan um-umay nga saba ket haan met nga
mabalin nga bumayag ditoy center
“Awan pay ti pandemic idi in-propose Thanks to the local vendors, dagita saba,” Bilan said.
mi daytoy, dirediretso ti kalakaran ti processors, and wholesalers/retailers,
saba ket volumes ti orders ti buyers the cooperative is now revolving their (We are persistently looking for more
from Pampanga ken Bulacan. Ngem trading capital to buy, consolidate, market outlets because farmers would
idi nagpandemic, binmagsak ti banana and market the banana produce that bring their banana produce to us every
trading. Naisardeng ti export isunga are being brought by farmers to the week and the bananas cannot be
ti kina adon ti nagmula ti saba ditoy center. stored here for a long time.)
Pilipinas, binmagsaken ti presyo,”
shared Bilan. Neil Baluyan, a banana farmer and a As the CARB MPC operates their
member of the CARB MPC, harvests enterprise, they are hopeful that
(We proposed this project before the around 500 to 1,000 kilograms of their efforts will soon bring more
pandemic when banana trading was at banana per month. He prefers to opportunities not only for the
its peak, and orders from Pampanga bring his produce to the cooperative’s cooperative, but for their members as
well, and for the continuous growth of
the local cardava banana industry in
Apayao that in years, will be ripe for the
taking.

PRDPinFOCUS CAR | J a n u a r y - J u n e 2 0 2 2 29

I-REAP Component SES Unit

Digital mktg training and workshop held for DA-PRDP DA-PRDP SES Unit holds 2nd quarter assessment,

North Luzon staff coord meeting

To further capacitate the staff in the Project Support The Social and Environmental Safeguards (SES) Unit of the
Office (PSO) North Luzon cluster and the Regional Project Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development
Coordination Offices (RPCOs) involved in the provision of Project (DA-PRDP) North Luzon cluster held its second
technical assistance to various Proponent Groups (PGs), the quarter assessment and coordination meeting from June 27
Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development to July 1, 2022 at Sta. Ana, Cagayan.
Project (DA-PRDP) conducted a digital marketing training
and workshop from June 15 – 17, 2022, in Subic, Zambales. On the first day, the findings during the recently concluded
14th World Bank Implementation Support Mission (WBISM)
The three-day activity was aimed to broaden the digital to the DA-PRDP were presented. To have an overview of
knowledge and skills of the staff from the I-REAP component, all the subprojects with pending SES compliance, PSO SES
Information, Advocacy, Communication and Education Unit Head Emmanual Aragones also discussed the status of
(InfoACE) Unit, and the Geomapping and Governance subprojects per region with pending compliances.
Unit (GGU) in establishing and developing marketing or
promotional content, and managing the roll-out of digital Plenary workshops on the WBISM's agreed actions were
marketing plans for agri-fishery, micro, small and medium also conducted. Discussions also focused on the updating of
enterprises (MSMEs). the social safeguards aspects of subprojects, post-mission
follow-up on other subprojects, and listing of safeguards
PSO I-REAP Component Head Jamesiah Badua-Lompero, training among others.
the initiative was initially conceptualized because of the
suggestions of World Bank Agriculture Policy, Planning & SES Specialist of the National Project Coordination
Business Specialist, Consultant Agnes Deshormes, after the Office (NPCO), Michael Francis Falconi, gave a refresher
cluster was cited to have been assisting I-REAP PGs to get presentation on the grievance redress mechanism (GRM)
engaged in digital marketing, especially during the COVID-19 and social safeguards database, which included safeguards
pandemic. guidelines and a matrix on the updating of data in PRDP
web-based GRM.
She added that the DA-PRDP envisions PGs to utilize the
wider reach of digital marketing through the use of social Participants from the four regions actively participated and
media. presented their respective identified issues and concerns
in subproject implementation relative to SES compliance.
“We would like to have the assistance providers appreciate They also identified eligible subprojects to undergo a post-
the potential and importance of digital marketing in mission site visit which will be conducted in the coming
increasing the sales of MSMEs, in this case, our I-REAP months.
enterprises. Digital marketing of MSMEs is usually done
through social media platforms. Doing this through these The five-day activity concluded with a presentation of
platforms is not only free, it also allows the PGs to reach a agreement and ways forward based on what has been
broader market, which is hard to do if they just stay offline. discussed. (Ericson Guiao, PSO North Luzon InfoACE)
This is what we envision for our PGs – to go digital,” she said.
Procurement Unit
On the first day of the activity, the resource speakers gave
a presentation on the fundamentals of marketing, digital DA-PRDP North Luzon procurement unit coordination
transformation, and a digital marketing overview. This was meeting held
followed by a hands-on workshop on creating a sample
branding, advertising, and marketing of any agriculture or The Procurement Units of the Department of Agriculture
commodity products that participants from every region – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) North
want to promote. Luzon Cluster with its counterparts from the Regional
Project Coordination Offices (CAR, 1, 2 and 3) convened for
With this kind of activity, Badua-Lompero hoped that the a Coordiantion Meeting from June 22 – 24, 2022 in Subic,
components and units involved, both from the PSO and Zambales.
RPCOs, will be more motivated in supporting rural farmers
and cooperatives as part of the mandate under the DA- Faciltiated by the Project Support Office (PSO) North Luzon
PRDP. (Ericson Guiao, PSO North Luzon InfoACE) Cluster, the meeting was intended to tackle matters that
are crucial in the overall implementation of the various
subprojects in the cluster, such as the presentation of the

30 PRDPinFOCUS CAR | J a n u a r y - J u n e 2 0 2 2

new

operational
manuals for
the procurement of
both I-REAP and I-BUILD
subprojects under the Additional
Financing 2, among other things.

“This coordination meeting was intended to to
present the guidelines for the procurement of
subprojects to be implemented under AF-2 and to discuss capacitate
among ourselves the current status of the procurement of the
all the ongoing subprojects per region,” said Procurement participating unit
Specialist Mary Ann Capillo. and other involved
components such as I-BUILD
She added that the meeting will also serve as an avenue for and I-REAP in overall financial
the entire procurement unit team in the cluster to elevate management and guide them in
issues and concerns and formulate plans and strategies to implementing, accounting for, and reporting
efficiently and effectively execute the procurement process. on the operations under DA-PRDP.

Aside from the procurement guidelines for I-BUILD Moreover, the training was conducted to help participants
(Module 1) and I-REAP (Module 2), the findings during the to understand the World Bank, regulatory and oversight
conducted post-procurement review (PPR) by National agencies guidelines in monitoring the progress and status of
Project Coordination Office (NPCO) and PSO, updates on the projects; underline the necessity of maintaining books
the agreement with NPCO during the mission, and financial of accounts, records and documents of the Project; and
management for enterprise and infrastructure subprojects strengthen their knowledge in the importance of recording
were presented and discussed. in the books of accounts and records, preparation of
financial reports/statements and the timely submission of
Meanwhile, PSO Deputy Project Director Elma Mananes the required financial reports.
expressed her gratitude for the efforts of the procurement
unit and acknowledged the importance of its role in NPCO Alternate Finance Unit Head Edgardo Aure, led the
ensuring the smooth process of subproject implementation. presentation on the overview of PRDP, organizational setup,
funds flow, cost table, and the Implementation Management
“The procurement unit holds a crucial role in facilitating Agreement (IMA) in which he accentuated its importance in
the timely acquisition of goods, works and services in subproject implementation. In addition, he also presented
support of the implementation of the Project. I hope with the requirements for the release of funds by PRDP to LGU
this coordination meeting, everyone will have a common and payment by LGU to Contractor for I-BUILD subprojects;
mindset and goal of ensuring a smooth and efficient requirements for the release of funds by PRDP to RPCO and
procurement process within the cluster,” Mananes said. by LGU to Proponent Group for I-REAP subprojects; and the
(Ericson Guiao, PSO North Luzon InfoACE) Statement of Receipts and Expenditures.

Finance Unit

PRDP PSO, RPCOs Finance in North Luzon undergo Meanwhile, NPCO Financial Analyst III Arnold Jaurige,
financial management training reiterated the proper monitoring of fund releases and
regular coordination with partner LGU to properly
The Finance Units of the the Department of Agriculture monitor subproject implementation and to gradually settle
– Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) in the unliquidated fund releases.
North Luzon Cluster underwent Financial Management
Training from March 15-18, 2022 in Baguio City. PSO North Luzon Deputy Project Directo Elma Mananes
also expressed appreciation on the significance of holding
The activity was spearheaded by the National Project such activity as the Finance Unit plays a vital role in ensuring
Coordination Office (NPCO) counterpart unit and was aimed smooth operation and implementation of target projects
under DA-PRDP. (Ericson Guiao, PSO North Luzon InfoACE)

PRDPinFOCUS CAR | J a n u a r y - J u n e 2 0 2 2 31

As of June 30, 2022

104 Approved
I-BUILD & I-REAP
subprojects

PhP3.417 billion

(Original loan + Additional Financing)

WITH NOL 1 ONGOING ONGOING COMPLETED

(Under (Less than 50% (50%and above (100%)
procurement) progress) progress)

3 2 8 91

PhP573.114 million PhP141.661 million PhP619.557 million PhP2.214 billion

3 Infrastructure 2 Infrastructure 3 Infrastructure 44 Infrastructure
Development Development Development Development
PhP573.114 million PhP141.661 million PhP474.309 million PhP1.814 billion

1 FMR 1 FMR 2 FMR 10 FMR
2 FMR with bridge 1 PWS (Level II) 1 PWS (Level II) 1 FMR with Bridge
9 CIS
There are 13 infrastructure 5 Enterprise 5 PWS (Level II)
subprojects that were approved by Development 19 Other infrastructures
the Regional Project Advisory Board PhP145.248 million
(RPAB) and are currently undergoing 47 Enterprise
review at the PSO/NPCO level. 3 Upgrading/Expansion Development
2 Restoration/ PhP133.768 million

Rehabilitation 6 Start-up
8 Upgrading/Expansion
33 Restoration/

Rehabilitation

32 PRDPinFOCUS CAR | J u l y - D e c e m b e r 2 0 2 1

Subproject Distribution With NOL 1 (3 SPs)
by Province Less than 50% accomplishment (2)
Above 50% accomplishment (8)
Approved I-BUILD & I-REAP Completed (91)

A110oBncRogoAminpgleted 11 12 A111PonAcogYmoAinpOgleted

PhP39.99 million PhP312.92
million
MOUNTAIN 16
P115RoncOogVmoinIpNgletCedE 9 18KAoconLmgIopNilneGgteAd

PhP357.94 PhP955.05
million million

23 12I2F9woUncitogGhmoANinpOOgleLte1d

PhP1.07
billion

The Province of Benguet 33 B4128EwonNcitoghGmoNiUnpOgleELtTe1d
has the highest number of
implemented subprojects PhP674.94
with a total of 33 enterprise million
and infrastructure
subprojects. The Province
of Ifugao has the highest
amount of implemented
subprojects with an
aggregate cost of PhP1.07
billion.

PRDPinFOCUS CAR | J u l y - D e c e m b e r 2 0 2 1 33

Several Proponent Groups (PGs) in Benguet with
completed and ongoing enterprise development (I-REAP)
subprojects under the Department of Agriculture -
Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) convened
for a coordination meeting with the DA-PRDP Regional
Project Coordination Office-CAR and the Provincial/Municipal
Project Management and Implementing Units (P/MPMIU) on
January 18, 2022, in Baguio City.

The activity was aimed to present accomplishments and discuss
catch-up plans, strategies, and good practices to further improve
enterprise operations, management, and monitoring as well as
project implementation as a whole.

Benguet PPMIU I-REAP Focal Person Jocelyn Galunza shared that some
PGs have deviated from their original Business Plan to cope with the
challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This was supported by representatives from the MPMIU of La Trinidad and
Kabayan as they shared what some PGs have experienced and how they
were able to come up with mitigating measures amidst the pandemic.

Among the issues raised by the PGs were on liquiation, requirements and
implications should they opt to utilize the remaining balances from their
subprojects, and the finalization of their enterprise Operations Manuals.
Representatives from the different units/components of the DA-PRDP responded to
the queries that were raised and provided recommendations.

The activity concluded with sharing of good practices and lessons learned from the PGs
in implementing their subprojects.

As part of the monitoring activities of the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural
Development Project (DA-PRDP), a team composed of representatives from the Project Support
Office (PSO) North Luzon and Regional Project Coordination Office-CAR (RPCO-CAR) conducted a
Rapid Appraisal of Emerging Benefits (RAEB) to the Sagada Arabica Coffee Growers and Producers
Organization (SACGPO) for their completed enterprise subproject on coffee processing with cupping
laboratory on June 30, 2022, in Sagada, Mountain Province.

The activity intended to gather data and insights from the SACGPO members and officers to determine
the outcomes and benefits of their enterprise subproject under the DA-PRDP.

The documentation and assessment activity was continued for the lead and affiliate Proponent Groups (PGS) of
the Benguet Arabica Coffee Enterprise (BACE) on April 27-28, 2022.

The activity was conducted by a team composed of representatives from the I-REAP component of the Department
of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) national, cluster, and regional offices.

To document and assess the outcome, challenges, and opportunities of the clustering approach among farmer
cooperatives and associations, in the development of the BACE, the team conducted several focus group discussions
with members of the Provincial Project Management and Implementing Unit (PPMIU), and also with some of the PG
officers. The team also visited the office of the lead PG in Kibungan and one of the affiliate PG in Atok.

The activity was part of the preparatory activities of the DA-PRDP for the 14th World Bank Implementation Support Mission
to the PRDP last May-June 2022.

34 PRDPinFOCUS CAR | J u l y - D e c e m b e r 2 0 2 1

The proposed civil works sites for
the enterprise subproject proposals
of Itogon Agriculture Cooperative and Itogon Integrated Organic
Farmers Association in the province of Benguet were validated by the
Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-
PRDP) Regional Project Coordination Office-CAR (RPCO-CAR) together
with a representative from the Project Support Office (PSO) North
Luzon Cluster I-REAP component from April 5-7, 2022.

Along with the site validation, the team will also evaluate the eligibility
documents of both farmer groups according to the requirements and guidelines of
the DA-PRDP. Likewise, their initial business model will be assessed and findings from the

site validations will be presented to them once the validation of all proposed sites is conducted.

Presentation of business plan and discussion of comments/findings were held during the
Joint Technical Review (JTR) of new enterprise development (I-REAP) subprojects proposed by
Proponent Groups (PGs) in Abra and Benguet.

The presentation/discussion of findings was followed by group workshops/consultations
with the PGs to further deliberate on the findings and provide recommendations for the
enhancement of their business plans.

Excavation works started for the improvement of the 6.168-kilometer Banneng-
Darulog-Bawac Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) in Tanudan, Kalinga, implemented under
the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) and
the Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) of Kalinga.

The DA-PRDP Regional Project Coordination Office - CAR has been recognized
for being the most efficient region in terms of Geo-mapping and Governance
(GGU) compliance and for having the most number of Social and
Environmental Safeguards (SES) compliance monitoring site visits in the
North Luzon Cluster for the year 2021.

The certificates were awarded during the PSO-RPCO Coordination
Meeting held on March 10, 2022 in Subic, Zambales.

Proponent Groups (PGs) of completed and operational micro
enterprise subprojects in Kabayan and Mankayan, Benguet,
implemented under the Department of Agriculture-Philippine
Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) had a workshop on
accomplishing Data Capture Forms as part of the Enterprise
Operations Monitoring System (EOMS).

The EOMS is a monitoring scheme for PGs to consolidate
data and monitor the overall operations of their
enterprise.

Participating PGs are representatives from Eddet
Farmers Indigenous Peoples Association, Gusaran
MPC, Ikolos Farmers Association, Bashoy Farmers
MPC, and Bosigan MPC. Representatives from
the municipal agriculture office of Kabayan are
also present to assist the PGs.

Department of Agriculture
PHILIPPINE RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
REGIONAL PROJECT COORDINATION OFFICE - CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION

BPI Compound, Guisad, Baguio City

Email: [email protected] • Phone: (074) 661-4408 • Web: prdp.da.gov.ph • Facebook: @daprdpcordillera

PRDPINFOCUS CORDILLERA
2022