To help farmers gain better access and mobility, the Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB) 02, chaired by Regional Executive Director and Project Director Rose Mary G. Aquino, approved two (2) proposed I-BUILD subprojects in Isabela under the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project Scale-Up on June 8, 2026, during the Board’s 10th Regular Meeting at the DA RFO 02 Organic Conference Hall, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.
The Board carefully reviewed the proposed Farm-to-Market Roads, namely the Concreting of San Jose Norte II FMR (₱61.86M) in Mallig, Isabela and the Rehabilitation of Rizaluna–Camarao FMR (₱108.37M) in Cordon, Isabela.
These FMRs are expected to reduce transportation costs, improve access to markets for agricultural produce and inputs, enhance agricultural productivity, and increase farmers’ profitability.
In their messages, Mallig Mayor Jose Philip F. Calderon and Cordon Mayor Florenz M. Zuniega expressed their gratitude to the RPAB members and RPCO 2 team. They both emphasized the potential benefits of the subprojects for their municipalities and constituents.
The proponent groups for the subprojects are LGU Mallig for the Mallig FMR, and the Provincial Government of Isabela for the Cordon FMR.
The two proposed FMRs have a total length of 7.64 kilometers. Mallig’s FMR has a road influence area (RIA) of 689 hectares, covering three barangays and benefiting 1,806 households with a population of 6,691. Meanwhile, Cordon’s FMR has an RIA of 910 hectares, covering two barangays and benefiting 1,161 households with a population of 4,154.
Once issued a No Objection Letter (NOL), both FMRs will become the first PRDP-assisted projects in their respective municipalities.
Director Aquino emphasized the integration of rice, corn, and dairy value chains as a key differentiating feature of the PRDP Scale-Up phase for the Mallig FMR. For the Cordon FMR, she highlighted the need to look into the operationalization of the existing Tilapia Fingerlings Production and Marketing Enterprise in Wigan, Cordon, Isabela.
DPD Kay S. Olivas further shared valuable insights on Wigan’s existing enterprises, in support of the RED’s instructions.
The RPAB-approved subprojects will be endorsed to the North Luzon Project Support Office for further review and subsequently forwarded to the National Project Coordination Office for approval and issuance of the No Objection Letter.
RPAB members present during the deliberation were:
• DENR – Dir. Ismael T. Manaligod, represented by For. Jose C. Bueno Jr.
• DTI – Dir. Ma. Sofia G. Narag, represented by Ms. Cheeza Leia Tagarino
• DILG – Dir. Agnes A. De Leon, represented by Atty. Rambo R. Tambauan
• DPWH – Dir. Mathias L. Malenab, represented by Engr. Edwin E. Galano
• DAR – Dir. Primo C. Lara, represented by Ms. Jenalyn F. Baleva
• RAFC – Mr. Dante B. Tobias
Other attendees include RPCO 02 heads and staff, PLGU Isabela, Mallig, and Cordon, Isabela officials and staff.