GENERAL SANTOS CITY – The Department of Agriculture Philippine Rural Development Project Regional Project Coordination Office XII (DA-PRDP RPCO XII) has launched a major initiative to guarantee that government-funded farm infrastructure projects provide lasting benefits to local communities.
From July 22-25, 2025, the PRDP-RPCO XII convened local leaders from across the region for two parallel activities: an intensive workshop to prepare for the 2026 rollout of the Agricultural Machinery, Equipment, Facilities, and Infrastructure Program (AMEFIP), and a detailed assessment of completed subprojects under Additional Financing 2 (AF2) and Additional Financing 2 – European Union (AF2-EU) funds.
“We are moving beyond the old ‘build-and-forget’ model,” said PRDP-RPCO XII Project Director Roberto T. Perales. “Our goal is to empower local leaders with the skills to build and maintain their own agricultural progress, ensuring that every investment serves its community for years to come,” he further emphasized.
The primary workshop focused on preparing local government units (LGUs) for the 2026 AMEFIP rollout. The training provided LGUs with the PRDP’s proven methods for project management, with a strong emphasis on proper operations and maintenance (O&M).
“An irrigation canal that fails after five years is a waste of public funds,” said Engr. Jocelyn F. Torres, Head of the I-BUILD Component. “We are here to ensure that what we build lasts. We are also empowering citizens to monitor these projects themselves, creating a culture of accountability,” she said.
Simultaneously, the Regional Operations and Maintenance Audit Team conducted a thorough assessment of 11 completed subprojects, including the Lampitak-Albagan farm-to-market road and ten warehouses with Solar Dryers in the municipalities of Tampakan, Lambayong, and Esperanza. Working with local officials, they reviewed maintenance plans, identified challenges, and developed strategies to keep these projects running effectively.
Experts from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) were also present to ensure all projects comply with environmental laws. Representing the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples Region XII, Dr. Nieves F. Cabije stressed the importance of respecting ancestral lands. “Progress is never progress unless it respects the rights and heritage of our indigenous communities,” she underscored. (Lynziejile S. Lapina)
