Identifying the underlying issues and concerns, challenges as well as progress in project implementation, the Department of Agriculture under the Special Projects Coordination and Management Assistance Division (SPCMAD) conducted its mid-year assessment at the Pangil Beach Resort, Currimao, Ilocos Norte.

A 4-day activity sponsored by the DA-Ilocos Registry Systems for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), the mid-year assessment also provided an avenue for the SPCMAD to review and analyze the projects both under the foreign assisted and locally funded projects in terms of the physical targets vis a vis the disbursement of its financial requirements.

In her message during the opening program, Ms. Angelita D. Martir, SPCMAD Chief underscored the importance of identifying the challenges, issues and concerns during project implementation so that they may be able to recommend possible solutions.

With the 43 locally funded projects, most of which are congressional introduced initiatives (CII) and most are not shovel-ready, and 30 foreign-funded projects, Ms. Martir likewise encouraged the regional focal persons to present the dilemmas during project implementation as well as good practices that they have undertaken which can be replicated or adopted by the other regions.

Considering that SPCMAD was reported with low disbursement in the recently conducted management commitee meeting, she likewise asked the participants to be more facilitative and pro-active especially on the implementation of short term projects, by which there is a need to determine the impacts in line with the DA’s thrusts on digitalization and modernization.

Meanwhile, on behalf of OIC-Ragional Executive Director John Pascual, Mr. Medardo Pablo, the Agricultural Programs Coordinating Officer (APCO) in Ilocos Norte welcomed the participants of the 15 regions representatives from the various DA’s special projects and lauded their presence which showed their commitment of ensuring that every projects being managed and undertaken was on the right track and that the objectives are met while the expected outcomes were derived that would eventually benefit the target beneficiaries.##