World Bank team evaluates DA infrastructure projects in WV
The World Bank Implementation Completion Review (ICR) Mission is now in Iloilo for a discussion on the Diversified Farm Income and Market Development Project (DFIMDP) that was implemented in Western Visayas.
The one-day discussion focused on the economic impact of the projects that were implemented, evaluation of infrastructure investments and consultation on market-oriented services of the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Joyce Wendam, regional technical director for administration and finance of the DA Regional Field Unit 6 (RFU 6) said the region was a beneficiary of several projects that were funded out of the World Bank Sector Investment and Maintenance (SIM) loan amounting to P50 million.
The assistance was intended for "market-oriented services" that aimed to increase agricultural competitiveness and rural income.
These projects included rehabilitation of farm to market roads, establishment of small farm reservoir, bagsakan center, docking house, hauling truck, procurement of refrigerated van and mechanical dryers.
The DFIMDP which started in 2004 is about to terminate in June this year; P49 million of the budget was already utilized.
Initially, Wendam said that the project implementation in Western Visayas is so strong such that another project is being proposed to focus on climate change adaptation.
“Hopefully that it will be approved and will be implemented in 2010,” she said.
A separate team has already started a consultation with several farmers and local government units of Dumangas, Janiuay and Pototan.
The review team was headed by Felizardo K. Virtucio Jr., World Bank Team Leader and Operations Officer for Rural Development.
He was accompanied by Douglas Forno, Dr. Fabrizio Buesciani, Eleonora Estanislao Tan,Yasuhiko Matsuda, Jeanette Jimenes and Carolina Figueroa-Geron.
The participants were clustered into four groups composed of regional field unit personnel; local government unit beneficiaries; cooperative beneficiaries and small farmers and non-traditional farmers, exporters, agri-processors and diversified farmers. (PNA)