DA launches World Bank-funded projects worth $920M

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 7) — The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday kicked off World Bank-funded projects mostly aimed at improving local agriculture infrastructure.

The DA said the projects worth $920 million are the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) Scale-Up, the Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project (MIADP), and the Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FishCoRe) Project.

PRDP Scale-Up will be allocated $600 million; FishCoRe, $200 million; and MIADP, $120 million.

The DA said PRDP Scale-Up will help farmers and fishers increase their production, and boost participation of women in agriculture.

«Kapag women-headed households yung mga namumuno dun sa mga programa, mas malaki yung chance ng success and sustainability,» PRDP National Project Director Arnel de Mesa said.

[Translation: When women headed households lead the programs, the chances of success and sustainability are higher.]

PRDP Scale-Up will be implemented in all 82 provinces nationwide.

FishCore, meanwhile, is aimed at strengthening fishery resources management—particularly in 24 provinces and 11 regions in the country. Agri-fishery-based economic activities will also be implemented under MIADP for indigenous peoples in Mindanao.

The World Bank said the goal of the three projects is to promote the DA's strategy priorities to improve national food security through investment in critical infrastructure.

Newly-appointed Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel has vowed to strengthen government partnership with local government units and the private sector to expand agricultural access to technology.

With reports from CNN Philippines' correspondent EJ Gomez