Davao City- The Department of Agriculture-Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project (DA-MIADP) achieved a significant milestone as it convened the first day of the World Bank Follow-On Technical Visit on December 11, 2023, in Davao City.
The gathering brought together key stakeholders, including component heads and unit heads of the Project Support Office (PSO), as well as project directors and deputy project directors from the Regional Project Coordination Offices (RPCOs) in Regions 9-13.
Mio Takada, representing the World Bank, set the tone for the meeting by characterizing MIADP as a special, complex, and innovative project, addressing some of the most challenging tasks in the agricultural sector among the indigenous peoples (IPs) in Mindanao.
Concerns arose during the meeting, focusing on the administrative aspects and overall project funding. Constructive dialogue led to agreements addressing these issues, ensuring smooth progression for MIADP over the next six years.
Takada suggested a comprehensive review of legal documents, particularly focusing on the project’s structure, with the World Bank intending to return for further discussions from March 4-15, 2024.
Meanwhile, Maria Theresa Quiñones of the World Bank expressed appreciation for the efforts of the MIADP team, “We are trying to give our best to provide assistance even in a way limited for us. You have done a lot already given your limited resources.”
The Project Director of MIADP PSO, Abel James Monteagudo, emphasized the need for resilience, professionalism, and responsibility in the face of challenges. “These are baby steps, mauuntog tayo, but we just have to pick ourselves up,” he said.
#MIADP | Indigenous Peoples’ Harnessing Opportunities for a Progressive Economy #IPsHOPE
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Merle Dawn S. Comidoy-Acol
Glenn P. Magallano
