06/04/2026
๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ | With the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) Scale-Up now at its midpoint, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the World Bank will convene the 5th Implementation Support Mission (ISM) from April 7 to 27, 2026, to review the projectโs progress and implementation on the ground.
The mission will assess implementation, validate accomplishments, and identify ways to further strengthen delivery, alongside discussions on Midterm Review (MTR) findings on the projectโs impact. It comes at a key point as the project builds on its gains and continues delivering benefits to farmers and fisherfolk.
Over three weeks, DA and World Bank teams will review progress, address operational gaps, and align strategies for the remaining years of implementation. The focus now turns to results to ensure that investments in infrastructure, enterprise development, and planning support translate into concrete gains for rural communities.
The mission will open with a PRDP Scale-Up exhibit at the DA Central Office in Quezon City, highlighted by a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. The exhibit will showcase the projectโs milestones and innovations across regions, setting the tone for discussions following the kick-off meeting.
A series of technical sessions and internal assessments among national and regional teams is expected to highlight both progress and areas for improvement to strengthen coordination across PRDP components and align implementation with evolving needs on the ground.
Moreover, field visits across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao will also be conducted to validate project implementation. These include inspections of farm-to-market roads, enterprise facilities, and other subprojects, as well as engagements with local governments and beneficiaries to better understand the projectโs impact on livelihoods and local economies.
The mission will culminate in a wrap-up meeting where key findings and recommendations will be presented to guide the next phase of PRDP Scale-Up implementation, as the DA and the World Bank work to further strengthen delivery and maximize impact. # # # (Julie Ace Brandon R. Barao, NPCO InfoACE)
