CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PIA) — Nearly P1.9 billion worth of investments under the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) are expected to boost rural development in Central Luzon by improving rural infrastructure, expanding market access, reducing transportation costs, and creating more livelihood opportunities for farmers and fisherfolk.
During its recent management meeting, the DA-PRDP Central Luzon Regional Project Coordination Office reported that the investments cover 10 subprojects under the PRDP Scale-Up as it assessed its first-semester accomplishments and outlined strategic priorities for the remainder of 2026.
The PRDP Scale-Up is implemented through four major components: I-PLAN for national and local level planning, I-BUILD for infrastructure development, I-REAP for enterprise development, and I-SUPPORT for implementation support.
Among the accomplishments under the I-PLAN component was the launch of the Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Investment Portfolio during the Regional Investment Forum in April.
Representatives from government agencies, local government units (LGUs), financial institutions, development partners, and the private sector participated in the forum to strengthen collaboration, align investments, and support the region’s agriculture and fisheries sector.
Of the total portfolio, about P1.5 billion covers seven approved rural infrastructure subprojects under the I-BUILD component.
According to DA-PRDP, these subprojects are expected to enhance rural connectivity, improve access to markets, reduce transportation costs, and increase agricultural productivity in beneficiary communities.
The I-REAP component, meanwhile, recorded significant progress through three approved enterprise subprojects worth P372 million proposed by farmer cooperatives in Nueva Ecija.
DA-PRDP said these investments will strengthen value-adding and market opportunities for high-value agricultural commodities, including aromatic rice, carabao dairy, and onion.
Furthermore, the agency reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining project implementation, strengthening coordination with LGUs and partner institutions, and ensuring that investments deliver lasting benefits to farming and fishing communities across the region.
The investments support the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in advancing food security, modernizing the agriculture sector, and promoting inclusive rural development. (CLJD/MAECR, PIA Region 3-Pampanga)
