DA sets conditions for PRDP project proposals

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture (DA) is requiring that all proposed projects under the World Bank-supported Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) have to be environmentally and socially acceptable.

PRDP deputy director Arnel de Mesa said that under the P27.5 billion program, all proposed projects would be required to undergo environmental and social assessments as part of the feasibility study.

As such, business plans for proposed projects should contain information about the environmental and social conditions of the project site. Project proponents, he said, should also prepare an Environmental and Social Management or Mitigation Plan.

 “The Social and Environmental Safeguards (SES) Unit of the PRDP will carry strict guidelines to ensure that project activities do not pose treats to the environment and indigenous peoples,” said De Mesa.

As part of the requirements for approval of the sub-projects proposed under the PRDP, the Local Government Units (LGUs) must secure environmental clearances and documents declaring that locals affected by the project implementation are rightfully consulted.

 “With this, the DA-PRDP will work closely with the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) to ensure that permits and clearances prerequisite to the implementation of sub-projects are submitted,” said De Mesa.

De Mesa said the SES unit of the project is working on the streamlining of the submission of documents and clearances as well as the setting up of a Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) where complaints and suggestions of local dwellers in project sites could be addressed.

 “Issues on SES compliance must be addressed in the regional level right away to facilitate the implementation of the project and prevent delays,” he said.

The PRDP, rolled out beginning the second semester of 2014, is a six-year program implemented by the DA with the World Bank for the creation of an inclusive, value-oriented and climate-resilient agriculture and fisheries sector.

The total project cost for the PRDP is P27.5 billion consisting of a P20.5 billion loan from the World Bank, P3.58 billion counterpart funding from the national government, P3.112 billion equity of local government units, and P287 million grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

The PRDP builds on the innovations introduced by the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) that was concluded in 2013. It will cover 80 provinces in 16 regions.

Local government units that choose to participate in the project are required to provide counterpart funds of 10 percent of the project cost for production support for commodities and 20 percent of the project cost for infrastructure projects.