Mindanao is setting the pace for rural development in the Philippines as the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) Scale-Up kicks off 2025 with robust procurement activities. These efforts, under the I-BUILD component, are geared towards enhancing rural infrastructure, with projects amounting to a total of PhP 5.501 billion across the region.
The PRDP Scale-Up aims to drive inclusive growth by improving connectivity and bolstering support for the agriculture and fisheries sectors. This significant milestone highlights PRDP’s dedication to empowering rural communities and creating economic opportunities for farmers and fisherfolk.
Regional Achievements in Procurement
The procurement successes span six regions in Mindanao, showcasing the breadth of the initiative:
- Region 12 leads with 15 approved infrastructure subprojects, totaling PhP 1.247 billion.
- Region 10 follows with five subprojects worth PhP 1.19 billion.
- Region 13 secured five projects valued at PhP 1.123 billion.
- Region 9 approved five subprojects worth PhP 1.09 billion.
- Region 11 has three projects amounting to PhP 657 million.
- BARMM completed six subprojects with a combined value of PhP 180 million.
Ongoing Infrastructure Implementation
In addition to procurement, 23 infrastructure subprojects worth PhP 2.376 billion are actively being implemented. These projects include farm-to-market roads, enterprise development facilities, and other essential infrastructure that enhance market access for rural communities. The breakdown of ongoing projects is as follows:
- Region 10: Four projects (PhP 686.69 million).
- Region 13: Four projects (PhP 753.23 million).
- Region 12: Ten projects (PhP 379.13 million).
- Region 9: Two projects (PhP 259.16 million).
- Region 11: One project (PhP 183.71 million).
- BARMM: Two projects (PhP 114.48 million).
Leadership and Collaboration
PRDP Mindanao Cluster Director Macario D. Gonzaga credited the success to strong partnerships with local government units (LGUs), Regional Project Coordination Offices (RPCOs), and the Project Support Office (PSO).
“Your hard work and dedication have made a meaningful impact on the lives of farmers and families across Mindanao,” Gonzaga said.
Deputy Project Director Carlene C. Collado emphasized the efficiency improvements achieved by the team. By streamlining workflows, the time from the issuance of No Objection Letter 1 (NOL 1) to Notice to Proceed (NTP) has been reduced from 130 days to just 82 days, while finalizing Implementation Management Agreements (IMA) now takes only 24 days instead of 120.
Milestones and Future Goals
A notable accomplishment is the approval of the first I-REAP subproject under PRDP Scale-Up nationwide: the “Tuna Consolidation and Marketing and Cold Chain Facilities” project with the Mangagoy Farmers Fisherfolks and Community (MAFFISCO) MPC in Surigao del Sur.
As the Mindanao Cluster progresses with the PRDP Scale-Up, its commitment to transparency, accountability, and collaboration remains steadfast, ensuring that these initiatives deliver sustainable benefits to communities across the region.
With a focus on driving rural transformation, Mindanao is poised to lead the way in showcasing the tangible impacts of the PRDP Scale-Up in 2025 and beyond.
