The Cordillera has emerged as Top 1 nationwide in the implementation of the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) Scale-Up, driven largely by Ifugao’s Php2.05-billion worth of infrastructure subprojects.
This was presented by the DA-PRDP North Luzon Project Support Office (PSO) during the 3rd Project Performance Assessment of the Regional Project Coordination Office (RPCO) CAR held on October 23, 2025, together with the provincial and municipal local government units (P/MLGUs) and farmers’ group with approved and ongoing DA-PRDP Scale-Up subprojects.
Based on the PSO’s report, Ifugao leads the region in consolidated approved subprojects proposed by its municipalities, followed by Kalinga with Php452 M-worth of subprojects. The bulk of these investments are allocated for rural infrastructure, particularly farm-to-market roads (FMRs), FMRs with bridges, and level II potable water systems.
In her message, DA-CAR Regional Executive Director and PRDP Regional Project Director Atty. Jennilyn M. Dawayan commended the efforts of the LGUs in developing subproject proposals, and emphasized the importance of focusing on implementation and timely fund disbursement.
“If funds are not disbursed, the financial commitments accumulate and add to the amount that should have already been released,” she stressed.
Director Atty. Dawayan further reminded LGU stakeholders that their performance contributes to broader national targets, and expressed optimism that all units will be able to meet their respective commitments.
As part of the assessment, the LGUs reported on the status of their respective subprojects, highlighting milestones, recent activities, and next steps. Geotagged photos of ongoing subprojects under implementation, showing tangible progress on site. In turn, technical staff from both the PSO and RPCO sought clarifications on pending compliances and provided feedback and recommendations to guide and support LGU implementers.
The RPCO CAR also presented a summary of prioritized infrastructure and confirmed enterprise subproject proposals, along with financial updates intended to reinforce LGU compliance with disbursement targets and funding obligations.
During the activity, Director Atty. Dawayan, together with Deputy Project Director Danilo P. Daguio, formally awarded the No Objection Letter 1 (NOL1) for the enterprise upgrading subproject of the Sagada Arabica Coffee Growers and Processors Organization (SACGPO), which has since transitioned into the Sagada Arabica Coffee Growers, Processors and Operators Agricultural Cooperative (SACGPO ACO). To date, it remains the only farmers’ cooperative and association (FCA) with an approved enterprise subproject under the DA-PRDP Scale-Up.
A special discussion on promoting gender-responsiveness and inclusive communication in governance was likewise included, reminding LGU partners to integrate gender considerations in communicating their programs, projects and activities. **Elvy T. Estacio (DA-PRDP RPCO CAR InfoACE)
