The Regional Convergence Initiative for Sustainable Rural Development in Ilocos Region has finally endorsed the Comprehensive Agricultural Development Plan of the municipalities of Vintar, Mangatarem, Sinait, San Manuel and Cabugao- five of the proposed convergence areas to the National Convergence Initiative Steering Committee.

In the 3rd Quarter Regular Meeting of the RCI- Sustainable Rural Development Group held today at the DA-RFO I, 5th Floor Conference Room, City of San Fernando, La Union, five out of the 8 LGU proponents which have presented their CADPs were endorsed by the RCI-SRDI and were among the first batch to be endorsed to the NCI’s Steering Committee.

During the deliberation of the RCI Technical Working Group, the proponents presented their own CADPs incorporating the suggestions and recommendations of the NCI-TWG as well as the RCI member agencies during the recently conducted writeshop sponsored by the DA-RFO I on the first week of August.

With the endorsement of the five CADPs to the National TWG, the proponents are again expected to present their CADPs at the National level prior to the conduct of ceremonial signing of the NCI-SRD Resolution approving Convergence Areas in Ilocos Region set on October 16, 2024.

Meanwhile, for the 2nd batch of LGU proponents to be endorsed by the RCI, a special meeting for the deliberation of their CADPs is scheduled on the 4th week of September giving them enough time to enhance their CADPs and Work and Financial Plan.

Following the approval of CADPs of the first batch of proponents is the launching of the convergence sites with Vintar, Cabugao, Bacnotan, Mangatarem and San Manuel as among those proponents eyeing for launching by the last week of October or first week of November.

To motivate the LGU proponents in religiously implementing their own CADPs, Department of Works and Highways (DPWH) representative has proposed for the conduct of Search and establish a criteria for the best CADP implementers in among the convergence areas in the region.

Ms. Doris Joy Garcia, the presiding officer of the meeting has likewise suggested for the proponent groups to be CSO-accredited for greater opportunity and accessibility of the DAs programs and projects while pilot barangays covered by the CADP shall be identified prior to the conduct of launching activity.

RTD Dennis Tactac has likewise requested the proponents to check the requested interventions of the proponent groups especially on the farm to market roads, including the composting facilities, irrigation networks and systems including their required funding support for better presentation and holistic approaches and strategies to realize the goals and objecrives in the identified convergence sites.