RPAB approves FMR project for Daraghuyan Ancestral Domain

 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB) of the Department of Agriculture – Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project (DA-MIADP), through its Regional Project Coordination Office 10 (RPCO 10), has approved funding for the improvement and concreting of a Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) in the Daraghuyan Ancestral Domain (AD) in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

In a project deliberation held on April 25, presided over by DA-10 Regional Executive Director and DA-MIADP 10 Project Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, the PhP21.9-million subproject eyes to link sitios Damitan and Ulangohon of Brgy. Dalwangan. The 1.184-kilometer stretch is expected to boost agricultural productivity and economic activity in the area by improving road connectivity. Overall, the subproject will help minimize postharvest losses, cut hauling costs, shorten travel time, and enhance access to essential services.

Marking as the first DA-MIADP 10 subproject to receive RPAB approval, leader-representatives of the Daraghuyan AD, including Bae Mangangapok Sildam of the Indigenous Political Structure (IPS), and its indigenous people’s organization (IPO), the Inhandig Tribal Multipurpose Cooperative through its chairperson, Datu Arding Omarol, expressed the community’s support and shared their appreciation for the anticipated benefits of the subproject.

“Dako among kalipay kay dako kaayo og tabang ang kalsada sa amoa. Ang among mga produkto pagbiyahe dili na maglisod. Ang mga bata dali na ang ilang pageskwela. Pasalamat kaayo mi sa project sa MIADP nga makatabang sa Daraghuyan.” Datu Arding remarked.

The deliberation was attended by the RPAB members from the regional line agencies, including the DA, NCIP, DAR, DPWH, Mindanao Development Authority, DENR, DILG, DTI, MIADP Project Support Office (PSO) and its regional counterpart, RPCO, the Local Project Management and Implementation Unit of Malaybalay City, and the private sector through the Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council.

Aside from RPAB approval, the subproject will still undergo final review and clearance by the PSO. As the first DA-MIADP subproject of its kind in Northern Mindanao, it will also be endorsed to the World Bank for review.

In addition to the approved FMR subproject, two additional infrastructure proposals were presented: the construction of a Multicommodity Warehouse with Multipurpose Drying Pavement, and the Daraghuyan Potable Water System (Level II). These subprojects are pending RPAB approval, subject to the submission and completion of the necessary documents.
Also presented was a proposal for the Coffee Processing Facility under the project’s enterprise development component. It aims to support the local coffee industry and strengthen livelihood opportunities within the Daraghuyan AD.

The DA-MIADP seeks to uplift the quality of life of the marginalized Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICC/IPs) across Mindanao through inclusive agricultural initiatives.# (KABC)