MANILA — The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the Mindanao State University-Maguindanao (MSU-Maguindanao) recently signed an agreement to implement pilot productivity enhancement projects in the Liguasan Marsh River basin. The project is part of NEDA’s Productivity Enhancement Program under the RP-Japan Grant Assistance for Underpriviledged Farmers formerly known as the KR2 Grant.
We want to use the fund for such projects with high impact. We will closely monitor the implementation and progress of the KR2 projects and ensure that they are in accordance with the approved framework and work and financial plan, said Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and NEDA Director General Romulo L. Neri.
The PhP14-million allocation for the Marsh is expected to boost efforts in preserving the area, which serves as a wildlife habitat, as well as to open opportunities for livelihood and enterprises in agriculture, fishery and tourism in Mindanao.
The MSU-Maguindanao, with guidance from Liguasan Marsh Development Adviser Victor N. Corpus, will identify, propose and implement confidence-building, agriculture-based and environmental preservation activities around the marshland. It will likewise implement and monitor projects approved by the NEDA.
In his presentation during the signing ceremony, Corpus proposed a 10-year development plan for Liguasan Marsh that includes the dredging of silted rivers and the tapping of dredged rivers for irrigation which may result to the development of large-scale organic farming, ecotourism, and watershed rehabilitation and protection.
Presenting abundant opportunities for the residents, the project can even help solve the insurgency problem in the area, Corpus added.
Secretary Neri and MSU Vice Chancellor Bai Alfaisah M. Agustin, signed the MOA on May 10. (NEDA)
