Guv
inks MOA P350M
aid from Aussie, Korea
Bohol Gov. Erico
Aumentado's latest trip to Manila proved fruitful - it earned for the province
P350 million worth of projects for the next four to five years when he signed
Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs) for their implementation with donor countries
Australia and Korea.
Aumentado
signed with Australian Ambassador Rod Smith the MOA to implement the Provincial
Road Maintenance Facility (PRMF) component of the Southern Philippines Provincial
Road Maintenance and Improvement Projects of the Australian Agency for International
Development's (AusAID) at the Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila at the Ortigas Center.
Interior
and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno signed as witness to the undertaking
with Aumentado and the governors of the other beneficiary-provinces: Surigao del
Norte, Misamis Occidental, Bukidnon, Agusan del Sur and Guimaras.
Bohol
alone stands to get P40 million a year for five years or P200 million to improve
the San Isidro to Catigbian via Caimbang and the San Isidro to Libertad provincial
roads; the Danao-Mahayag (San Miguel) road that goes over a ridge locally known
as buko-buko sa anay (back of a [an emaciated] sow); and the San Miguel-Bayongan-Bulilis-Mabuhay-Ubay
road that traverses rice producing areas in the province.
| | | On
the other hand, Aumentado and the governors of Davao del Sur, Iloilo and Pangasinan
signed with Managing Director Sung-ho Choi of Koica's Economic Development Department
and Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap the records of discussion (R/D) for the construction
of modern integrated rice processing and milling complexes (RPCs).
Agriculture
Undersecretary Ma. Bernadette Romula-Puyat and Koica's Philippine resident representative
Kim In signed as witnesses in rites held at the Hotel Rembrandt in Quezon City.
| Choi
had led the RPC Implementation Survey Team that visited Bohol last week to brief
project beneficiaries and consult with local agriculture personnel and government
officials.
The
project aims to raise the farmers' incomes through better storage, processing
and milling - and therefore less wastage. Costing around P150 million each, the
RPC will be equipped with efficient and affordable drying, milling and processing
facilities
The RPC for each site will cost US$3.175 million or around P150
million. It will have a floor area of 1,700 square meters, including a storage
house. The one-storey structure will have reinforced concrete floor, steel frame
and insulated panels for walls. It will also have an auxiliary building of 314
sq. m. to serve as warehouse and office. The whole complex will be fenced.
But,
Aumentado said, Bohol's RPC will include a mill for Japonica rice - a fancy variety
that has long, white grains and when cooked, aromatic and a little sticky although
not glutinous.
Bohol's
RPC will be located in Pilar town that is also the site of the Malinao Dam of
the Bohol Irrigation Project Stage I (BHIP 1).
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