The second phase of the Mindanao Rural Development Project (MRDP2) is gaining momentum and is well-positioned to meet its objectives of improving livelihood opportunities in targeted communities as well as decentralizing agriculture and fishery services delivery in a way that promotes participation, transparency, and accountability.

This is one of the major findings of the recently concluded portfolio review mission conducted by the World Bank together with the officials of the Department Agriculture (DA) implementing the project in 26 provinces, 225 municipalities, and cities in Mindanao.

World Bank country director Bert Hofman said that promoting poverty reduction and rural growth specifically in Mindanao is high in the government’s development agenda.

“We are glad to support this initiative because it fits well with our own mandate of promoting inclusive growth,” Hofman added.

“I’m happy that we are gaining traction in the implementation of MRDP2. This project will significantly contribute in our efforts to address poverty and enhance food security in Mindanao,” said Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap.

Yap said some provincial governments have released more than their share of counterpart funds for municipalities in their areas that have found it difficult to cough up the 50% equity contribution required under the project, showing laudable commitment to the project’s objectives.

“The next year of implementation would enable us to evaluate the impact of this local government unit-local government cost sharing” he added.