Rules for $10-M Cordi rural infra projects set

By Pearl T. Nerja

BAGUIO CITY -- The Departments of Environment and Natural Resources and Agriculture have agreed on rules on disbursement and use of $10 million Integrated Natural Resources and Environmental Management Project (INREMP) Rural Infra Fund.

Engineers Rey Gerona and Sonny Salvacion led discussion on guidelines in a workshop here recently.

The following are considered eligible projects: rehabilitation and improvement of access roads; rehabilitation and construction of farm to market access facilities (foot paths, footbridges and tramlines, communal irrigation systems and domestic water supply systems.

A trading center will be constructed in the region. Eligible access roads are those that are with approved watershed management and investment plan, support forest production and livelihood, within forestland/ timberland production areas, directly support INREMP upland beneficiaries and are within political jurisdiction of municipalities.

Ineligible access roads are those that are within NIPAs areas, non- NIPAS areas intended for protection purposes as identified by the community and validated by DENR, covered by and included in any  national rehabilitation funded projects, opening of new roads and foot trails and re-opening of abandoned logging roads.

Projects will be implemented in 68 barangays, considering that these have undergone social preparation activities and have the necessary NCIP certification permit.

The US 10 million shall be for civil works within the 68 barangays previously identified by the DA.  For Non-CHARMP areas but under the INREMP, rural Infra shall be covered by the $1.2M fund allocation.

Projects should be compliant with government laws, IRRs, ADB environmental policies and regulations, social safeguards and environmental assessment and review procedures framework.

Projects’ implementation shall be supervised, governed and directed by a regional inter-agency committee for RI rehabilitation  and improvement which will be created and composed of DA, DENR, NCIP, NIA, PLGUs, DPWH, DILG, NGO. 

The DA-CAR is the agency having the overall responsibility for the project implementation.  However, as partners in the implementation, the DENR shall provide DA with technical, administrative and other assistance including orientation on INREMP activities, procurement, environmental policies, social safeguards.

The DA, shall likewise, establish and administer peso account for disbursements, maintain project account and records for all expenditures, assist subproject proponents in planning and preparation of proposals, implementation of projects, technical assistance and capacity building on procurement, construction supervision, financial management, operation and maintenance.

It shall also ensure projects are compliant with guidelines and standards, management and disbursement of funds are in accordance with ADB guidelines and GOP laws and submit quarterly progress report to INREMP regional project coordinating office.