NEDA-12 Director Hadja Sittie Mariam Lim said the Productivity Enhancement Project (PEP) is supported by the RP-Japan Grant Assistance for Underprivileged Farmers, formerly known as the Kennedy Round 2 (KR2) Program.
But Lim said that because of the “substantial reduction in the NEDA share of the Kennedy Round 2 proceeds, projects shall center on provision of technical assistance and only some capital assistance as necessary.”
Lim stressed the Japan government has agreed to expand the scope of activities to be funded, to include activities that foster economic and social development.
“The project activities shall focus on short term, but shall have immediate and sustainable impact,” she explained.
Local government units (LGUs) are eligible proponents under the program, including state colleges and universities, private and non-government organizations.
Projects include establishment of small scale techno-demo facilities; small start-up equity grant for innovative micro enterprises like carabao cheese processing; market information and dissemination; packaging design and, small-scale community-based mangrove rehabilitation.
Initially, P5 Million per region will be allocated.
To ensure their commitment, each proponent from the LGU or national government agency should provide counterpart contribution that could be in cash or in kind.
For LGU proponents, the ratio of counterpart to grant would be calibrated according to income classification. For 1st class and 2nd class towns, 50%; 3rd and 4th class, 30%; and, 5th and 6th class, 10%.