DA-13 implements 1.9 billion plus worth of MRDP2
projects in Caraga region
By Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 10 (PIA) – The Mindanao Rural
Development Program 2 (MRDP2) projects implemented in Caraga region through the
Department of Agriculture (DA)-13 has a total regional portfolio of more than
P1.9 billion worth of subprojects under the Rural Infrastructure (RI), Natural
Resources Management (NRM), and Community Fund Agricultural Development (CFAD)
Components
Based on the figures revealed during the Mindanao
MRDP2 Culmination Program held on Friday in one of the convention centers in
this city, CFAD was able to address 226 livestock subproject; 111 fisheries;
106 crop production; 104 pre and post harvest facilities (PPHF); and 55 small
infrastructure subprojects catering a total number of 36,340 beneficiaries.
These subprojects per category amounted to
P282,250,000 were accomplished in the following five provinces: Agusan del
Norte (P40,000,000); Agusan del Sur (P95,000,000); Surigao del Norte
(P62,500,000); Surigao del Sur (P70,000,000); and province of Dinagat Islands
(P15,000,000).
For the Rural Infrastructure component, an amount
of P861,510,230 has supported the 56 (197.12 km) farm-to-market roads (FMR); 10
(353.4 lm) bridges; 7 (1,440 ha) communal irrigation systems/projects
(CIS/CIP); 13 units potable water systems (PWS); and five other infrastructure
subprojects including four concrete footbridge and one warehouse.
“Projects in four municipalities with P7M
allocation each or a sum ofP28M worth of projects were also completed. An
additional P1.5M was also implemented in the municipality of Nasipit, Agusan
del Norte as prize for being adjudged as outstanding Agro-forestry project in
Mindanao during the People's Organization Congress in Davao. Another P28M worth
of projects were also implemented on the so-called NRM-Global Environment
Facility (GEF),” disclosed DA-13 regional director Edna Mabeza.
NRM projects were categorized as Agroforestry (805
hectares covered); Riverbank Stabilization (114 hectares); Mangrove
Rehabilitation (183 hectares); and Marine Sanctuary and Fishery Reserve (225
hectares).
Mabeza thanked the stakeholders for their
cooperation in the implementation of MRDP2 which will soon culminate on
December 2014.
Meanwhile, DA Secretary Proceso Alcala who graced
the event congratulated all the active partners in the implementation of the
MRDP2. “The 40% counterpart shouldered by the DA has increased local government
units’ participation of the program. DA will always be there for you to assist
and find ways to respond to your needs,” he said.
As announced and promised by Sec. Alcala, all
municipal mayors who were present during the MRDP2 Culmination Program will be
provided with hand tractor while the province of Dinagat Islands will be given
1M for livestock project.
In a response message, Mayor Enrico Corvera of
Nasipit, Agusan del Norte expressed his gratitude in behalf of his constituents
to DA for its assistance through the MRDP2 and other programs & projects
offered by the national government. He said that in their municipality, they
encouraged the 4Ps beneficiaries to get involve in livelihood programs in order
to give them the opportunity to uplift their state of living.
The MRDP2 continues to implement poverty-reducing
interventions in more poor communities across Mindanao as it expands in scope
of coverage (225 towns in 26 provinces). It is implemented under the DA, MRDP1
accomplished various projects and provided significant learning experiences on
which MRDP2 takes off.
MRDP2 focused on a goal to reduce poverty by
accelerating environmentally sustainable rural development. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
MRDP2 best LGU implementers in Caraga region named
By Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 10 (PIA) - In time with the
Mindanao Rural Development Program 2 (MRDP2) Culmination Program and Philippine
Rural Development Project (PRDP) Launching Ceremony held here on Friday, the
winners of the Search for MRDP2 Best LGU Implementers were named and plaques of
recognition were personally handed over by no less than the Department of
Agriculture (DA) Secretary Proceso J. Alcala.
After careful assessment conducted by the
evaluation team per component, the following placers definitely deserved their
specific rewards:
1. Outstanding Provincial Local Government Unit
(LGU) Implementer for Investment for Governance
Reform
(IGR) – Province of Agusan del Sur
2. Best LGU Implementer for Rural Infrastructure
(RI) Component
1st - San Luis, Agusan del Sur
2nd -
Bacuag, Surigao del Norte
3rd -
Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte
3. Best LGU Implementer for Natural Resources
Management (NRM) Component
1st - Nasipit, Agusan del Norte
2nd -
Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte
3rd -
Marihatag, Surigao del Sur
4. Best LGU Implementer for Community Fund for
Agricultural Development (CFAD) Component
1st - Nasipit, Agusan del Norte
2nd -
San Agustin, Surigao del Sur
3rd -
Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur
5. Best Performing Peoples Organization (PO) for
CFAD
1st -
General Aguinaldo Farmers Association
General Aguinaldo, Libjo, Province of Dinagat Islands
2nd -
Sto. Ninon Durian Growers Organization
San Agustin, Surigao del Sur
3rd -
Women’s Livelihood Vision for Tomorrow
Malimono, Surigao del Norte
"The Dep't of Agriculture Caraga provides
technical assistance through trainings and project preparations which foster
better camaraderie and understanding of projects. We conducted pre-construction
conferences to fully orient our stakeholders on their role in the project
implementation," said DA Caraga regional director Edna Mabeza.
Meanwhile, Sec. Alcala expressed his sincere
appreciation to the awardees for their exemplary accomplishments and
cooperation as partners in the implementation of the MRDP2 in their respective
towns. “I congratulate the LGU leaders and other participating individuals for
their remarkable contribution in the successful implementation of the MRDP2,”
he said.
Earlier on that same day, Sec. Alcala graced the
Turn-over Ceremony of Barobo Municipal Fish Port and Ice Plant to the LGU and
the Farmers and Fisherfolks’ Forum in Barobo, Surigao del Sur wherein people’s
organizations composed of farmers and fisherfolks got the opportunity to raise
questions and concerns to the good secretary.
Jointly funded by the World Bank, DA, and Local
Government Units (LGUs), MRDP2 seeks to further improve rural incomes and
achieve food security through agri-fisheries infrastructure, livelihood
enterprise, and biodiversity conservation projects.
Partnership with LGUs and other national agencies
are also forged for laudable impact in Mindanao rural communities. (VLG/JPG/PIA-Caraga)
ULAP, GIZ to hold Conference on Alternative
Dispute Resolution, Environmental & Customary Laws
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 10 (PIA) – The Urios Legal
Assitance Program (ULAP) of the Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU)
College of Law, with the technical assistance of Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale
Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) will be holding the Conference on Alternative Dispute
Resolution, Environmental Laws and Customary Laws in the context of Conflict
Transformation on November 26, 2014 at the AVR1, FSUU Main Building, this city.
According to College of Law Dean Atty. Josefe C.
Sorrera-Ty of FSUU, the seminar aims to address environmental and customary
issues; provide different machineries of alternative dispute resolutions
anchored on the present environmental and customary laws in the perspective of
conflict sensitivity and conflict transformation, and in due course, arrive
with action plans towards implementing projects and programs in asset and
resource management in the region.
“The conference will gather eminent speakers and
scholars engaged in these particular topics. Participants to this forum shall
be coming from diverse sectors of the society – national government, civil
society organizations, and local government units,” added Ty.
For more information, the College of Law Office
can be reached at telephone number (085) 342-1830 Local 1907 or cellphone
number 0948-4027092. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
DA-13 receives recognition in support for climate
change mitigation campaign
By Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 10 (PIA) – Recognizing the
extraordinary efforts of the Department of Agriculture (DA)-13 personnel in
undertaking climate-focused activities and increasing adaptation and mitigation
awareness on some of the more precarious impacts looming over vulnerable
communities particularly in rural areas, the Philippine Information Agency
(PIA) Caraga led by regional director Abner Caga presented a Certificate of
Recognition to DA-13 regional director Edna Mabeza during a press conference
with DA Secretary Proceso Alcala on Friday.
The certificate is a special acknowledgment for
heeding the call of Pres. Benigno Aquino III to intensify the climate change
adaptation and mitigation campaign.
“It is high time that we grant due recognition to
DA-13 for taking an extra mile in strengthening its advocacy. Their support is
greatly appreciated for extensive campaign to reduce vulnerability to climate
change especially in the field of agriculture,” said Caga.
RD Mabeza greatly appreciated the gesture afforded
to their department by PIA Caraga.
Secretary Alcala lauded DA-13 for putting much
regard to farmers’ need to enhance adaptive capability on climate change that
would help sustain economic development. “If you equip the community with
knowledge about how to handle the perils of climate change, they can achieve
resiliency over time and will ensure sustainability of Philippine agriculture,”
remarked Alcala.
During the press conference proper, the secretary
answered without hesitation each of the media representative’s queries on the
department's new programs and projects for Caraga region.
"Phil. importation has reduced, however, the
percentage of insufficiency still demands to import goods from other countries.
We need to increase production and regulate the cost," emphasized Alcala.
As part of the long term solution to the barriers
in transporting farm produce, Sec. Alcala relayed that the national government
has included in its target the concreting of farm-to-market roads in all areas
in Mindanao.
“With these projects, marketing of products will
be more competitive, and with consolidated efforts of farmers, their source of
livelihood will become stable,” he said. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
