PRDP frontloads big-ticket infra projects in Mindanao

DAVAO CITY- Investments for big-ticket agricultural infrastructure projects from the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) have seen a surge in Mindanao.

As of March 2016, Mindanao has a total of 208 infrastructure subprojects mostly farm-to-market roads (FMRs), generated from various local government units (LGUs) amounting to P12.13 billion. Of the figure, 117 are ongoing subprojects with a total cost of P6.06 billion and 91 are on the pipeline with a total cost of P6.07 billion.

“The Infrastructure development component (known as Intensified Building Up of Infrastructure and Logistics for Development or I-BUILD) has a total approved portfolio of P13.67 billion and Mindanao gets the biggest share with Php6.06 billion (44%),” PRDP National Deputy Project Director Engr. Arnel De Mesa said during the second World Bank review mission in Davao City held this month.

Visayas got P2.18 billion (16%), South Luzon has P2.72 (20%), and North Luzon with P2.71 (20%).

The I-BUILD portfolio in Mindanao has increased by 30% from the last review of P9.91 billion in August 2015 to P12.87 billion in March 2016. The total approved cost of the portfolio has also increased by 21% from P4.92 billion to P5.97 billion.

Region 11 cornered the biggest allocation with P2.76 billion (23%), Region 10 with P2.5 billion (21%), Region 12 has P2.15 billion (18%), Region 9 with P2.14 billion or (18%), Region 13 with P1.48 billion (12%), and ARMM got P1.09 billion (9%).

As of this report, Mindanao cluster completed four subprojects. Three are in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat: rehabilitation of Purok-2-San Martin FMR with a length of 1.82 km. worth P18.67 billion; rehabilitation of Tayugo-Paladon FMR with a length of 1.81 km. worth P17.83 million and; rehabilitation of Baul-Talitay farm-to-market road with 1.43 km. amounting P16.21 million.

Another one is the Portable Water System (PWS) in Tampakan, South Cotabato worth P4.30 million.

The I-BUILD component aims to put in place strategic and climate resilient-resilient rural infrastructure facilities along the value chain.

PRDP is a six-year special program of the Department of Agriculture focused on establishing a modern, value chain oriented, and climate-resilient agriculture and fisheries sector. It is jointly funded by World Bank, national government and the local government units throughout the regions in Mindanao.  (Eva Mae Baculio-Intern/PRDP Mindanao)