Thursday, October 22, 2009

NAFC Validates Hard Infra in Agusan del Sur and Dinagat Islands

by: Aurell P. Arais

Butuan City – A team from National Agricultural and Fisheries Council (NAFC) successfully conducted the second round of validation of hard infrastructure projects implemented here in Caraga Region under the Department of Agriculture (DA) and its attached agencies.

The validation took place last September 14-19, 2009 wherein the four NAFC validators were divided into two groups to validate projects sites in Agusan del Sur and Province of Dinagat Islands.

The Agusan del Sur group were composed of Marilu Peralta and Eduardo Cunan while the Dinagat Island group were Engr. Jahensi Supanga and Troadio Montemayor.

The team visited various projects sites accompanied by some DA Regional Field Unit 13staff and its counterparts from provincial and municipal level together with provincial and municipal agricultural and fishery council (PAFC/MAFC) both in Dinagat and Agusan del Sur, representative from Department of Public Works and Highways and National Irrigation Administration (NIA).

In the Province of Dinagat Islands, the group validated hard infrastructure projects in the municipalities of Cagdianao, Dinagat, San Jose, Basilisa, Libjo and Tubajon with 11 irrigation projects and five farm to market roads (FMR) which also include two municipalities in Agusan del Sur particularly Bayugan and Esperanza with one irrigation project and ten farm to market roads.

Meanwhile the Agusan del Sur group able to validate 12 irrigation projects and 22 farm to market roads situated in different towns such as Veruela, Sta. Josefa, Trento, Bunawan, Rosario, San Francisco, Prosperidad, Talacogon and La Paz.

Projects were implemented through the DA funding downloaded to various implementing agencies such as NIA, DPWH as well as local government units of the province and municipal government.

Some projects were also funded through the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP).

Based on general findings of the validating team, most of the projects were in place however some were delayed particularly in Dinagat Islands and recommended to the concerned implementing agencies to strengthen coordination and monitoring for smooth project implementation.

DA RFU 13 Regional Technical Director Edgardo Dahino gladly accepted the recommendations from the validation team and vowed to work hard for its improvement.

The first round of NAFC validation was conducted April 13-18, 2009 covering the provinces of Agusan del Norte, portion of Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur and Surigao del Norte including Siargao Islands. (Aurell P. Arais/DA RAFID-Caraga)


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