P262.9M Cordillera projects approved for PRDP funding

By Mabel Zabala

BAGUIO CITY- - The Cordillera Regional Project Advisory Board  has endorsed 12 subprojects for funding under the Dept. of Agriculture's Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) in a recent meeting here at Dept. of Agriculture conference hall.

The RPAB agreed these subprojects which include communal irrigation systems, potable water systems, tramline system and slope stabilization works are viable will bring socio-economic impact and benefits to  beneficiaries and to the region as a whole, said DA regional director Dr. Lorenzo M. Caranguian.

These subprojects have a total amount of P262,990,209.64 distributed as follows: improvement of Sta. Maria-Mallig-Upper Atok farm-to-market Road at Flora, Apayao worth P198,061,000,  improvement of Bongbongna-Poitan communal irrigation  system at Banaue, P7,363,000; construction of Amchu-uy-Bae CIS at Banaue, P2,272,000; improvement of Aparnga-o-Ki-iyang CIS in Banaue, P6,769,000; construction of slope protection at Puguis, La Trinidad, Benguet, P10,793,000; construction of Surek Tramline in Ekip,P3,912,000 and  Wakal tramline, P3,985,000  in Nawal, both in Bokod, Benguet;  construction of Talubin level II potable water system in Bontoc, Mountain Province,  improvement of Mainit Chorngowan P7,000,000 and improvement of Can-eo PWS, P3,700,000, both in  Bontoc.

"We encourage provinces to propose more other infra subprojects like these," Caranguian said . 

With funding for farm-to-market roads already depleted, he said infrastructure such as potable water system and communal irrigation systems are eyed as priorities for funding under the PRDP.

The RPAB is composed of regional heads from different government agencies who review, provide suggestions and  approve subprojects to  higher approving bodies in national level under the PRDP.