World Bank to finance PHP89.38-M livelihood projects in E. Visayas

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 8 (PNA) –- Eastern Visayas will get PHP89.38 million worth of projects under the livelihood component of the World Bank-funded Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP).

Department of Agriculture-PRDP deputy project director for Eastern Visayas Jennylyn Almeria said they are encouraging communities to venture non-infrastructure projects that would support the value chain.

Dubbed as Investments for Rural Enterprises and Agricultural and Fisheries Productivity (I-REAP), the component engages broad sections of the sector in the production of marketable surplus through investments in strategic segments of priority commodity value chains.

These initiatives are prioritized under the Regional Agricultural Fisheries and Modernization Plans and the Provincial Commodity Investment Plans (PCIPs).

The regional project advisory board here initially endorsed 20 livelihood projects to the WB aimed at enhancing production and expand market access.

In Southern Leyte, on the list are the PHP4.23 million coconut intercropping in Sogod, PHP30.57 million coco-based multiple cropping system in Maasin City, PHP1 million chicken egg production and marketing in Silago, PHP896,876 naturally raised swine production in Malitbog, PHP825,000 swine fattening in Maasin City, and PHP998,741 rootcrop production in Bontoc.

In Northern Samar province, I-REAP projects are PHP9.45 million coco geonet processing and trading in San Jose, PHP1 million bio-organic and vermin compost production in Allen, and PHP1 million hog fattening and trading in San Jose town.

Tagged as priority in Pinabacdao, Samar is the PHP14.99 banana production. Neighboring towns of Calbiga, Basey, and Sta. Rita are seeking PHP999,021 each for ube cultivation.

In Leyte, PRDP’s I-REAP will focus on PHP15.44 million high value vegetable production and marketing in Ormoc City, PHP966,865 native chicken production in Isabel, PHP1 million bio-organic fertilizer production in Alangalang, PHP1.99 million swine raising in Tacloban.

I-REAP will also be implemented in two towns in Eastern Samar with a budget requirement of PHP1 million each. These include fish catching and trading support in San Policarpo and mudcrab culture and trading in Quinapondan town.

PRDP’s I-REAP component aims to strengthen and develop viable agri-fishery based enterprises through efficient value chains of key agricultural and fishery products in targeted program areas.

PRDP is a six-year program (2014-2021) designed to establish the government platform for a modern, climate-smart and market-oriented agri-fishery sector.

It seeks to improve agricultural competitiveness and expand market access for any identified priority commodities under the project.

The project aims to attain at least five percent increase per year in real household annual incomes of farmer and fisherfolk beneficiaries; 30 percent increase in incomes for targeted beneficiaries involved in enterprise development; seven percent increase in value of annual marketed output; and 20 percent increase in the number of farmers and fisherfolk with improved access to DA services. (PNA)
JMC/Sarwell Q. Meniano