THE DEPARTMENT of Agriculture-Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project (DA-MIADP), with the backing of the World Bank, is stepping up efforts to strengthen oversight and accelerate the implementation to ensure timely delivery, improve quality standards, and reinforce accountability in the rollout of agri-infrastructure and enterprise initiatives across Mindanao.
This was the consensus reached during the Technical Discussion and Exit Conference in Davao City, following the 2-day field visit by the World Bank’s rural infrastructure consultant, Engr. Raoul Azanza, and social development specialist Annabelle Vitti C. Valenzuela to assess progress and address implementation challenges of the subproject implementation in Barangay Gupitan in Kapalong, Davao del Norte, and Barangay Little Baguio in Malita, Davao Occidental.
“We remain open to recommendations and encourage honest dialogue with our partners from the World Bank and from the LGUs. We recognize differing perspectives, but ultimately, we strengthen our shared goal of completing all subprojects,” said deputy project director Noel T. Provido on behalf of project director Macario Gonzaga.
Provido further underscored the commitment of MIADP to uphold quality standards, particularly those outlined in the Institutional Strengthening Action Plan (ISAP), in line with World Bank guidelines.
Engr. Mary Ann Christy S. Cotejo of RPCO XI highlighted key challenges and recommendations from ongoing subprojects. These included developments in barangays Little Baguio and Gupitan farm-to-market roads (FMRs), and the dialogues with the Datu Danwata Women’s Association (DDWA) for their coffee enterprise subproject, reflecting both operational hurdles and opportunities for improvement in the field.
Engr. Azanza emphasized that the catch-up plans for the delays will be implemented, and variations should be properly documented, reviewed, and approved by either PSO or RPCO. Valenzuela added that the affected schools and households must be provided with immediate resolutions.
For his part, MIADP-RPCO XI deputy project director Zabdiel Zacarias urged project teams to remain steadfast in delivering quality outcomes.
“Let this be a guide for both the PSO and RPCOs in implementing subprojects on our supported ancestral domains. These are times that test our grit, but we must challenge ourselves to perform better, uphold what is right, and support one another as a team. Constructive feedback, even when difficult, is meant to strengthen us. There are higher peaks to conquer as we work together to improve the quality of life of our Indigenous Peoples,” he said. (PR/DA-MIADP)
