World Bank approves $170-M for Philippine rural development

MANILA, Philippines — The World Bank on Friday announced it has approved $170 million worth of additional financing for the Philippine Rural Development Project to boost incomes in the countryside and reduce poverty in the country.

In a statement, the Washington-based multilateral lender said more than 400,000 rural residents are estimated to directly benefit from PRDP’s infrastructure initiatives.

Meanwhile, another 100,000 persons would benefit from the development of rural enterprises.

Jointly implemented by local government units and the Department of Agriculture, the additional funding for PRDP would support development of rural infrastructure such as roads, bridges, communal irrigation systems, potable water supply, solar dryers, among others.

Under the PRDP, the DA provides technical and financial support to the planning process of provinces and municipalities.

“The practice of the DA preparing provincial commodity investment plans together with local governments have empowered local executives to mobilize additional resources and bring in programs of other government agencies,” said Mara K. Warwick, World Bank’s country director for the Philippines.

“The PRDP helps to consolidate and efficiently plan programs and activities that alleviate poverty in rural areas,” she added.

Hundreds of projects have been approved for the PRDP, including 232 projects that will deliver 1,700 kilometers of roads and bridges, and 100 post-harvest facilities.

Also in the pipeline are 18 small-scale irrigation facilities encompassing 1,800 hectares and 512 enterprise projects with some 100,000 direct beneficiaries.