Mindanao gears up for bigger rural development program

The Department of Agriculture (DA) envisions bigger rural development next year as it rolls out the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP).
DA is presently conducting rounds of orientation for local chief executives in Mindanao, as they will be the forerunners of implementation of PRDP expected to begin early next year.
PRDP is a six-year national government platform for an inclusive growth, value-chain oriented, and climate resilient agriculture and fisheries sector expected to pool a total funds of US$671.59 million or close to P28 billion from a loan portfolio of the World Bank (WB) and equity share of national and local government units (LGUs).
PRDP is the “up scale” version of the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) still currently implemented in 225 towns in across Mindanao. [Sherwin B. Manual/DAMRDP]