WB-funded PRDP takes in livelihood projects in Lando-stricken areas

The Philippine Rural Develop Project (PRDP) will now accept proposals for livelihood project in areas affected by Typhoon Lando, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Tuesday.

The department will accept proposals for small livelihood projects (SLPs) from local government units (LGUs) to help farmers and fishers in Lando-stricken areas. The SLPs will be placed under I-REAP, the enterprise development component of the PRDP.

The PRDP is a six-year project funded through a $501.25-million from the World Bank.

Approvals for the SLPs in this scheme will be less stringent, according to the PRDP.

“For instance, newly established agri-based cooperatives and associations are allowed to be proponent groups for SLPs that cost up to a maximum of P1 million,” said PRDP National Deputy Project Director Arnel de Mesa.

“These SLPs are short-gestating projects so the affected farmers and fishers can easily bounce back from their losses,” he added.

De Mesa, however, clarified that 20 percent of the equity must be shouldered by the provincial or the municipal government just like the other sub-projects under the PRDP.

He said the proposed SLPs need not undergo the Value Chain Analysis and Provincial Commodity Investment Plan to be approved, unlike other projects.

Four SLPs have already been approved in the Visayas with a cumulative amount of almost P3 million.

For areas affected by Typhoon Yolanda and the 7.3-magnitude earthquake in 2013, De Mesa said that SLP proposals are extended until 2016.

Access to funding for SLPs are also available in the conflict-stricken areas of Mindanao.

For his part, Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said it would be ideal for the government to propose assistance on production and marketing of high value crops widely grown in Luzon.

“As we have established trading centers in some of areas in North Luzon including Benguet and Isabela, farmers will have a market where they can deliver their produce,” Alcala said.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has tagged Lando as the worst storm to hit the Philippines this year. – Jon Viktor Cabuenas/VS, GMA News