KIDAPAWAN CITY (MindaNews/13 Apr) – The Cotabato provincial government has allotted P6 million as its equity for the projects to be constructed this year in different towns under the second phase of the adaptable program loan of the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP), a poverty-alleviation initiative implemented by the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Under the project, at least 50 percent of the funds would be shouldered by the MRDP and the rest by the provincial government.
The MRDP projects, which include farm-to-market roads, would be constructed in 12 identified areas in North Cotabato.
In a statement, Cotabato Governor Lala Talinio-Mendoza said that the local government units where the projects are located are required to allot 10 percent from their internal revenue allotment (IRA) as counterpart.
Mendoza signed a memorandum of agreement with the 12 municipal mayors. The MOA stated, among others, that the funds should not be diverted to other projects.
Construction will start30 days after the LGUs receive the funds, the governor said.
Each of the 12 LGUs would receive P500,000 from the provincial government.
Under the project, the P6-million financial assistance to 12 LGUs would be used to implement the construction of farm-to-market roads in the towns of Alamada, Aleosan, Antipas, Libungan, Kabacan, Midsayap, Pikit and Tulunan and in Kidapawan City.
Part of the funds would also be used to rehabilitate a portion of the national highway in Matalam and President Roxas towns.
The MRDP’s adaptable program loan phase 2 is jointly funded by the World Bank, national government and local government units.
The project seeks to further improve rural incomes and achieve food security through agri-fishery infrastructure, livelihood enterprise and biodiversity conservation projects. (Malu Cadeliña Manar / MindaNews)