The Kiangan municipal government can now proceed with the bidding of the Improvement of Lamka-Mappit Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) subproject after officially receiving the green light from the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) Scale-Up.
Proposed in support to the local coffee and banana industries, the subproject will provide a convenient and safe access for the farmers and residents along the FMR as they transport their products. The subproject also intends to revive deserted coffee and banana production areas.
The FMR subproject, which spans 6.6 kilometers, will link barangays Baguinge and Duit in Kiangan and Barangay Panubtuban in Asipulo.
It has a total project cost of P169.58 million and is expected to benefit 1,318 households or 6,455 individuals within its influence area.
On Nov. 6, 2023, Kiangan Mayor Raldis Bulayungan received an eligibility certification for having successfully complied with all the requirements for their subproject proposal on the improvement of the said FMR.
The certification was awarded during the ceremonial launching of DA’s three core projects under the World Bank – the PRDP Scale-up, the Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project, and the Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency Project – in Quezon City.
With the issuance of the No Objection Letter 1, preliminary activities are set to be conducted to orient the Kiangan LGU on the WB Harmonized Procurement Guidelines as well as the preparation of the implementation management agreement, which comprises implementation arrangements and specific guidelines for PRDP-funded subprojects within a given period, including the schedule of fund releases and liquidation reports.
The Improvement of Lamka-Mappit FMR is the first infrastructure subproject that was approved for DA-PRDP Scale-up funding in the Cordillera. – Elvy T. Estacio
