Manila: The scale-up of the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) is set to significantly bolster investments and the establishment of agricultural infrastructure across the Philippines, as announced by the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday.
According to Philippines News Agency, DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa explained in an interview that the scale-up is designed to address the increasing need for investment in agri-infrastructure and enterprises beyond the original scope of PRDP. The expanded PRDP aims to facilitate the development of cold storages, slaughterhouses, and other vital agricultural infrastructure.
DA Assistant Secretary for Operations and PRDP National Project Director U-Nichols Manalo emphasized that the scaled-up PRDP includes over PHP17 billion worth of investments. He stated at the PRDP Scale-Up Exhibit at the DA Central Office in Quezon City that the project already has a portfolio of 75 approved infrastructure sub-projects valued at PHP11.44 billion, with 30 currentl
y under construction. Additionally, there are 60 proposed enterprise sub-projects amounting to PHP6.31 billion.
DA Undersecretary for Operations Roger Navarro expressed the department’s ambition to make PRDP more globally competitive, with a focus on post-harvest facilities for rice and corn, as well as cold storage for fishery and vegetable consolidation. The original PRDP, which concludes this year, achieved the completion of 503 rural infrastructures worth PHP31 billion and 667 rural enterprises valued at PHP2.93 billion, as reported by Manalo. The PRDP scale-up is scheduled to continue until 2028.
In a related development, the DA plans to operate more ports to enhance logistics for agricultural commodities nationwide. Navarro mentioned that the Philippine Fishery Development Authority (PFDA) will lead this initiative, with several agencies offering their underutilized ports for DA’s operational targets. The Department of Transportation, Philippine Ports Authority, and the Coconut Industry Investment Fun
d-Oil Mills Group have existing port infrastructures that the DA plans to utilize for improved logistics.
